Maitlan Brown has set her sights on an Australian debut on home soil as she looks to bounce back from an injury-imposed case of deja vu.
A stress reaction in her shin will keep Brown out of the ACT Meteors' WNCL season opener against Victoria in Adelaide on Sunday.
The 22-year-old fast bowler is targeting the Melbourne Renegades' WBBL opener on October 19 for her return in the hope a strong Twenty20 campaign can lay the platform for an international debut.
Australia will begin their Twenty20 World Cup defence on home soil in February with Brown in selectors' sights.
"I've got to think about the process and just try to have a really good Big Bash season," Brown said.
"Last year when I did my shin, I took the most wickets I ever have in Big Bash and I didn't really have a pre-season. It was very weird how it happened.
"If I have a successful Big Bash season, that will probably determine whether or not I play in the World Cup.
"It's definitely something I am striving for."
Brown's injury setback - the second of its kind for the promising quick - was further compounded by Angela Reakes' season-ending Achilles tendon tear.
The star all-rounder was on crutches as Cricket ACT announced an extension with the Meteors' major sponsor Abode at their season launch on Thursday.
Reakes' absence has opened the door for Meteors wicketkeeper Erica Kershaw to assume the vice-captaincy role with Erin Osborne set to take the reins again this season.
Meteors coach David Drew has named a raft of new faces in his side for the opening two matches of the WNCL season with uncontracted rookie Maddie Penna firming for a debut on the road.
But Brown will be watching from afar when the Meteors clash with Victoria at Park 25 and back up against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval on Tuesday.
"The timing really sucks, once again missing out on the first round of the WNCL," Brown said.
"This [shin injury] is actually a lot better than last time, thank god, we got it a little bit earlier. It's not as bad as the other one.
"It's a similar timeline, in terms of missing the first round and making the Big Bash again.
"That one progressed really well. Knowing this one isn't as bad, it should be a breeze, touch wood."
ACT METEORS WNCL FIXTURE
Game 1: September 22 - Victoria v ACT Meteors at Park 25, Adelaide, 10am.
Game 2: September 24 - SA Scorpions v ACT Meteors at Karen Rolton Oval, 10am.
Game 3: January 6 - NSW Breakers v ACT Meteors at Hurstville Oval, 10am.
Game 4: January 7 - ACT Meteors v Queensland Fire at Blacktown International Sportspark, 10am.
Game 5: January 21 - ACT Meteors v Queensland Fire at Manuka Oval, 10am.
Game 6: January 23 - ACT Meteors v NSW Breakers at Manuka Oval, 10am.
Game 7: February 4 - ACT Meteors v Western Australia at Phillip Oval, 10am.
Game 8: February 6 - ACT Meteors v Tasmania Tigers at Phillip Oval, 10am.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
