Delissa Kimmince thought her cricket career was over, she’s determined to make her time count

ALL-ROUNDER Delissa Kimmince tried her hand at AFLW and set up a cleaning business after thinking her national cricketing career was over, now she’s a key part of Australia’s World T20 campaign.

AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Delissa Kimmince tried her hand at AFLW and set up a cleaning business after thinking her national cricketing career was over.

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But the 29-year-old is back in the fold and an integral part of the Aussies’ quest for a fourth Women’s World T20 title.

The Herald Sun’s Eliza Sewell talks to her in Georgetown, Guyana.

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Eliza Sewell: How are you finding being back part of this Aussie set-up and part of a World Cup?

Delissa Kimmince: It’s been quite a long process in terms of when I started to now, but I’m enjoying my cricket more than I have before.

Delissa Kimmince celebrates a wicket with Megan Schutt.

ES: You debuted at 18, now you’re 29 and you’ve been in and out of the national side, how has that journey been?

DK: I guess it’s what elite sport is, it’s definitely had its ups and downs. I feel like my career has done the full circle. I got a few injuries and lost my contract and lost the love of the game, took a break and it taught me to enjoy the game for what it is. At the end of the day it’s just a game. I think at times I have taken it too seriously.

ES: You had that stint in footy too. Did you think you’d come back to cricket after playing AFLW with Brisbane?

DK: To be honest when I got through that first season (of AFLW), I got through with no injuries, so I thought I’d quit while I’m ahead. It was a good mental break. I loved the physical side of football. It was a new challenge for me, I hadn’t grown up playing the sport. I think it’s put me in good headspace for where I am now with my cricket.

Delissa Kimmince in Brisbane Lions colours. Picture: Adam Smith

ES: You set up a cleaning business, so you thought your sporting career was done?

DK: Yeah, I was definitely thinking life after cricket. I didn’t think I’d be wearing the green and gold again and I was trying to put a few things in place. I really want to be a firefighter but it’s quite a long process and it’s quite hard to get into so I thought if I could set up a business that I could control and run my own hours to fit in with the state cricket program, for me, that was cleaning

ES: Cleaning?

DK: I like the satisfaction of cleaning and the fact that you can see how good it is straight away I just find it’s nice to take my mind off cricket.

ES: Are you a clean freak on tour?

DK: I make sure my room is always clean. I never leave the room without my bed being made, which some of the girls think is funny considering at the hotel we have people come in and clean our room most days. It’s just a habit. Mum said we couldn’t go to school unless our bed was made.