T20 World Cup: Australia will adapt to losing Tayla Vlaeminck

Captain Meg Lanning believes her side can cover for the untimely loss of fast bowling spearhead Tayla Vlaeminck.

Ash Gardner, Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy ahead of the T20 Women's World Cup Picture. Phil Hillyard

Moving to Plan B before a ball is bowled is not exactly the best start for Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign, but flexibility is essential in the shortest format and captain Meg Lanning believes her side can cover for the untimely loss of fast bowling spearhead Tayla Vlaeminck.

Fractures to the right foot saw the 21-year-old rising star ruled out of the tournament on Thursday. The fastest women at the elite level in the domestic game, Vlaeminck has been replaced by off-spinner Molly Strano.

Strano has played for Australia before, was the leading wicket-taker in the WBBL this summer and Lanning says she is definitely in contention for a start when the side takes on India on Friday night in its first game of the tournament.

Australia had used Vlaeminck as an impact bowler in the recent tri-series that featured India, in the belief her pace unsettled the visiting batters.

“It’s a massive loss and she is obviously pretty shattered with the timing of it,” Lanning said.

“It was a little bit of a flat day yesterday finding out the news. She was set for a big role for us. I’m pretty devastated for her. I guess it provides an opportunity for Molly to come in and play a role for us. Unfortunately for Tay she won’t get to compete, which is pretty devastating for her.

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“There’s no real like-for-like replacement for Tay, no one does what she does. Molly has bowled well in the powerplay in the past and can bowl at any time through the innings. We just think that covers us the best we could. Mollywas very unlucky to miss out on the squad in the first place. She is very experienced at a domestic level, has played international cricket before. She will be looking forward to the opportunity in front of her in the next few weeks.

“She has made a name for herself through the powerplay overs, particularly in the WBBL. We see her as part of a strong squad who could come in and play a role for us. ”

Australia’s opening game of the World Cup will be played at the Sydney Showground, home of the Thunder BBL franchise and AFL grand finalists GWS Giants. Lanning admits she has not played much cricket at the venue.

“There is a little bit of unknown about this ground, so we start on a level-pegging with India in that regard, but I think for the good of the tournament, create a great atmosphere and get the crowds along it’s a really good move,” Lanning said.

“We’ve known about it for a while and have been looking forward to playing out here. It’s a great stadium, hopefully the crowd comes and supports because that’s what it’s all about.”

Australia are in danger of conceding two key elements of the team’s home advantage with the local Indian-Australian population expected to be vocal and the opposition captain claiming a degree of familiarity with the venue.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur got to know the place during her time with the Thunder.

“I’ve played many games on this track. I hope that what I’m thinking around that will come into play,” she said.

With Vlaeminck out, 18-year-old Victorian allrounder Annabel Sutherland is a chance to be named in the Australian team. The youngster has slipped past her elder brother, Will, an emerging allrounder, who has played three first-class games including two Sheffield Shield games for Victoria. Her father James was chief executive at Cricket Australia for the best part of two decades.

India have their own teenagers, including 16-year-old top-order bat Shafali Verma, an exciting cricketer who made her first international half-century at 15 and played her first game at home disguised as a boy.

“Shafali is someone who loves to play her shots and always looks positive, that’s her approach for the team and she is someone who loves playing cricket,” Harmanpreet said.

“She understands her role for the team and she will definitely enjoy this tournament.”