Knee complaint can't keep Kimmince down

Not all of the extra activities that are on offer when touring the Caribbean are to Delissa Kimmince’s liking, but the allrounder couldn’t be happier after finally taking the field for her first match since arriving in the region.

The Queenslander missed the three-match ODI series against the West Indies in Antigua as she was managed through a knee niggle, but returned for the first of three T20Is at Barbados’ Kensington Oval on Saturday night, helping the tourists to a six-wicket win.

"It was nice to get back out there and get back into the game sense," Kimmince said from Barbados on Sunday. 

"You can train a lot in the nets and not really know how you’re tracking so it’s nice to get out there in a game and see where I’m at.

"There were probably a few balls last night I wasn’t happy with, but that’s part and parcel of it, I was happy with how I came back.

"(The knee) is fine, it’s just a bit of old age I think.

"I’ve had a few niggling injuries since I’ve been here, but they’re just manageable stuff I’m supposed to be patient with."

Since arriving in Antigua late last month, there’s no doubting the Australian squad have put their all into their battle against the Windies, slogging it out in the hot and humid conditions that accompany hurricane season in the region.

But that toil also necessitates downtime, and the Australians have seized their opportunities to take in the unique location they’re touring on what’s the team’s first bilateral visit to the Caribbean since 1976.

For some, it’s been about snorkeling and fishing, while others including Kimmince jumped at the chance for a surfing lesson following Friday’s first training session in Barbados.

"I’ve figured out my love for surfing is about as good as my love for golf, and that’s very, very poor," Kimmince, who confessed to finding the need to wait for the perfect wave beyond her patience, said.

"(But when you’ve got) downtime, it’s about trying to use it wisely," she added. 

"Between the Ashes and here we’ve not had many down days, so when you have an afternoon off or few hours here it’s important to switch off and get away from cricket.

"I usually do that by chasing the sun or sitting by the pool or by the beach reading a book."

Kimmince’s variations with the ball and lower-order batting ability will be key as Australia eye back-to-back T20 World Cup titles on home soil next February and March.

For the Brisbane Heat allrounder, these 20-over matches are a golden chance for both her and her teammates to refine their games ahead of that tournament. 

"We know in the background that’s what we’re aiming for, but at the dame time these games along the way are important to try and get a few things right for us," she said. 

Australia have a chance to seal a T20I series win over the West Indies in the second of three T20Is at Kensington Oval on Monday at 7pm local time (9am Tuesday AEST).

Fans in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea can stream the series live and free on cricket.com.au and the CA Live App, while fans elsewhere can watch on the West Indies Cricket YouTube channel.

CommBank Tour of the West Indies

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

West Indies ODI squad: Stafanie Taylor (c), Hayley Matthews (vc), Reniece Boyce, Afy Fletcher, Chinelle Henry, Shamilia Connell, Stacy Ann King, Natasha McLean, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi

One-Day Internationals*
*ICC Women's Championship matches

First ODI: Australia won by 178 runs

Second ODI: Australia won by 151 runs

Third ODI: Australia won by eight wickets

Twenty20 Internationals

First T20: Australia won by six wickets

September 16: Second T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados

September 18: Third T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados