WAGGA talent Rachel Trenaman says taking a break from cricket to focus on her mental health was a wise decision she needed to make as she looks to take advantage of greater opportunities for the Sydney Thunder this season.
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The 19-year-old all-rounder generally bats in the lower middle order, but has been promoted to opener for the Thunder's rain-interrupted start to their Women's Big Bash League campaign.
After belting 41 at the top of the order in a trial match against Sydney Sixers, showers ruined any chance of a result in the Thunder's opening two games against the Sixers and Melbourne Stars earlier this week.
Trenaman stepped away from the game for a few weeks at the end of last year, and was widely praised for joining the likes of Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Nicole Bolton, Glenn Maxwell and Sophie Molineux in prioritising her health over playing.
She gave up a chance to play for Australia A in fixtures against India, but returned in February for a handful of games for NSW Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League.
"It's a person by person issue as well. Sometimes you think you can manage it and go on but in my case I knew I needed a break," she said.
"At the end of the Big Bash I took some time off. I went through all the right channels and fortunately everyone was super supportive, both at Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia.
"They allowed me as much time as possible to have that time off, and get better. I wasn't out too long and eased back into training for a few sessions before Christmas, and I was good to go again from early January.
"Moises Henriques is a notable one having talked about his own battles extensively, and the same with Nicole Bolton in the women's game.
"As much as it's hard to be the first person to do it, everyone after that is thankful to know they're not the only ones. Those kind of people are so good to lean on when you are going through a similar thing."
Known as an aggressive player, whether it be willow in hand or bowling her handy leg-spin, Trenaman wants to repay Thunder coach Trevor Griffin's faith in slotting her at the top of the order.
"Hopefully I can do that for the next few games, be as aggressive as possible and try and get the team off to a good start," she said.
"It's very new. I've usually batted in the lower middler order as a finisher, about seven or eight (in WBBL), but i opened toward the end of the WNCL (for NSW Breakers) in the 50 over format.
"It's something I want to do, I want to progress my batting further and opening seemed a good option to take.
"I've never even batted in the top six before in a Big Bash team, so to be facing the first over is both exciting and nerve wracking.
"I like the challenge of the back and forth between the bowler and batter. They're trying to take your head off and you're trying to negate it, but put runs on at the same time and take the shine off the ball.
"It's a contest I really enjoy, facing the first ball instead of sitting on the sideline and waiting."
After finishing her HSC in Wagga last year, Trenaman is now based in Sydney full time and is studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies at The University of Sydney.
"I'm more comfortable around the girls. I'm enjoying it more than ever and playing a bit more carefree," she said.
"We've got a really good squad, and all the work and recruitment we've done has put us in good stead.
"Hopefully we can take that to the grand final and hold up the trophy at the end."
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