Vlaeminck tipped for big things by Perry

Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry is tipping uncapped fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck to "take a lot of people by surprise" if given a chance to make her international debut in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

Victorian Vlaeminck, 19, has yet to make her Rebel WBBL debut for the Renegades. But so impressed are selectors with her raw pace – as demonstrated on Australia’s under-19s tour of South Africa earlier this year and in a series of trial matches with the Australian side earlier this month – that she earned a place in Australia’s 13-strong squad for the Commonwealth Bank Women’s T20 Series.

It remains to be seen whether the teenager will be given a chance to take on the White Ferns in Saturday’s series opener under lights at North Sydney Oval, but Perry believes she is ready to make the step up to international level.

"She was in camp with us a couple weeks ago and she bowled so well that it got her into the squad," Perry said in Sydney on Tuesday.

"I’ve loved the way she’s approached her opportunity and she’s incredibly exciting in the fact that she’s probably our fastest bowler, she really gives everything 100 per cent when she’s out there.

"I think she’s going to take a lot of people by surprise. I think she just needs to go do her thing and I think keep it pretty simple, really."

Vlaeminck is one of two uncapped players in the Australian squad alongside state teammate Georgia Wareham.

The pair – who are also housemates, along with Australian allrounder Sophie Molineux – step into the Australian set up at a crucial time, with the three-match series against the White Ferns to be followed by a World T20 campaign in the Caribbean in November.

It’s a daunting scenario for any young cricketer, but Perry is confident the pair can handle the pressure.

"They’re amazing young kids, they’re incredibly talented and I think it speak volumes for our team and the depth we now have," Perry said.

"Tayla and Georgia are pretty young but the way they compete and what they’ve done to get themselves selected, they’re right up there in the quality of cricket they’re capable of playing." 

For Vlaeminck, the news that she’s part of the Australian T20 squad is only just starting to sink in.

"When I got the phone call, I was in the back of a cab on the way home," Vlaeminck told cricket.com.au. "I actually had to ask him a couple of times if he was kidding because I didn't really believe it, I was very shocked.

"Looking back at it now, it was probably a very awkward phone call because I didn't say a lot."

If she does get a chance to test her pace against the New Zealanders, Vlaeminck says she’ll be keeping it simple.

"I'm just going to run in and try and bowl as quick as I can," she said.   

"It won't always be on the spot, but if I can get one on the spot that's good, hopefully it'll take a few wickets." 

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

Australia T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra