Delissa aiming higher

REBORN Southern Stars allrounder Delissa Kimmince insists the hard work has only just begun as she sets her sights on November’s Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Little more than 12 months after conceding she had lost the drive to play for Australia, the Gold Coast Dolphins star is on track for the women’s 20over showpiece after a stunning return to the Stars set-up.

Kimmince, 28, was recalled to the Australian T20 side in November for the three-game series against England as part of the 2017-18 Ashes, holding her spot for last month’s triseries against India and England in Mumbai.

Her growing importance to the T20 outfit was underlined last week when she was handed one of 14 Cricket Australia contracts for 2018-19, having previously been handed deals in 2008-09 and 2013-14.

With 11 one-day and 16 T20 appearances for the Stars under her belt, Kimmince is now ready to make the national spot her own.

“We’ve got a New Zealand T20 trip in October and obviously our main focus will be the T20 World Cup in the West Indies in November,” the Brisbane Heat quick said.

“I’m pretty hopeful considering

I’ve just played through the T20 series in the Ashes and over in India in the tri-series as well.

“There’s obviously plenty of work to be done, just because you get that contract it doesn’t mean you’re getting everything. You’ve got to work really hard to maintain your spot and make those tours.

“I probably haven’t quite been there with my batting over the last year or so but I think I’m really happy with where I’m at with my bowling at the moment and the change-ups I’ve developed, even just from last season to this season.

“I think I’ve done well and it’s something I just need to keep working on.”

Kimmince said experience was the key to her international resurgence.

“The older you get, you start to understand your game and what works for you and what doesn’t,” she said.