WAGGA cricketer Rachel Trenaman is confident a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is just a bump in the road in her career.
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The 20-year-old was due to begin a two year deal with Hobart Hurricanes this season, but will miss the entire Women's Big Bash League campaign after playing a pivotal role in Sydney Thunder's march to the title last summer.
After being given the responsibility of opening for the Thunder, Trenaman was ready to take her game to the next level after a superb Women's National Cricket League campaign with NSW Breakers, where she racked up four half centuries and a 49 in seven knocks.
But a 'freak accident' when bowling at training in late July has halted her progress.
She is still playing a role in the Hurricanes' campaign, which has begun with one win from three matches.
"I'm confident if things go well I'm already halfway through the (injury) journey, and I'm not too far away from hitting the park again and doing some skills with the girl," Trenaman said.
"It's really disappointing and frustrating to be missing out, and knowing how close we were to playing cricket hurts that bit more. But it's nice to still be involved in the conversations on the sideline and the preparation of the team too.
"I've tripped bowling so many times, as a lot of bowlers have, but one unlucky incident and the ACL ruptures completely.
"I'm blessed to avoid surgery so far and I'm super appreciative of the Hurricanes down here being really supportive, helping with my rehab and keeping me involved."
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Trenaman has been given a role helping with game plans and tactics and said she is enjoying seeing the game from a different perspective.
"'m doing a lot of stats. You might see me on the sideline with a computer during the game, just taking notes," she said.
"It's not something I'm normally afforded as a player, it gives me a different perspective looking at things more holistically and I'm really enjoying it.
"I've picked up a few things already after a couple of games we normally wouldn't even think about."
A shoulder injury also hampered her pre-season last summer, but Trenaman being unable to do any training at all this time around was more difficult to handle.
"I also had an injury during the pre season last year which stopped me doing skills completely, but I could still run and lift (weights)," she said.
"This is a completely different kettle of fish, not being able to run or do skills. I've only been walking the last couple of weeks and ditching the crutches. It's been a bloody long journey and it's been bloody difficult, but we're definitely on the up."
Trenaman still holds out some hope of returning for the back end of the WNCL season with the Breakers, and is confident her game is at the level where she can dominate attacks more regularly.
"I was super pleased with my season last year. After the Big Bash even though I didn't set the world on fire, I felt I could hold my own and compete at that level," she said.
"It reflected in my WNCL season where I scored a ton of runs and was really chuffed with my performance. This season I was hoping to build on that even more, push my case for selection for higher honours.
"I was adamant I'd score a century or two this season so it's a stinger, but hopefully I'm playing by the back end of the season. There's still a little bit of hope."
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