She missed out on this year's Ashes series in England. But a fit and firing Rene Farrell is hoping a strong start to the domestic season with the ACT Meteors will catapult the fast bowler back into Southern Stars contention.
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The 26-year-old is preparing for her second campaign in Canberra knowing places in the Australian team for the rematch with the old enemy are up for grabs.
The Southern Stars lost the recent series in England, but they have a chance for redemption in January and February.
Australia takes on England in one Test match, three one-day internationals and three T20 games, with results from all three formats used to determine who claims the urn.
Farrell played her last of 23 one-day internationals almost two years ago, but her impressive record of 24 wickets at 23.83 will have her in contention.
''That was motivation last year as well, but more so now that the girls unfortunately lost the Ashes over there and I'd love to be part of a team to win it back,'' Farrell said.
''I'm a lot stronger than before when I played.
''It's a massive drawcard to perform well and get through the season, but I'm focusing on the Meteors first and hopefully push towards the T20 title.''
The Meteors completed a fitness session at Radford College on Sunday as they aim to make the final of the T20 competition.
They narrowly missed the decider last summer, but will be strengthened with Farrell back after injury restricted her impact.
Farrell tripped over her dog while walking down the steps and broke a toe.
It won't happen again if she can help it.
''I'm very excited about this season, and making sure I'm holding on to the stair rail and letting the dogs go first,'' she said. ''I'm taking a few extra precautions, but can't wait to get going.''
Meteors coach Andrew Dawson described Farrell as the leader of the Meteors' pace barrage and believed she would be a valuable asset to the Southern Stars.
''With the Australian team in the seam attack, they are fairly young outside of Ellyse Perry and Julie Hunter,'' Dawson said.
''Rene's experience to that side would definitely be a bonus if the national selection panel wanted to go that way.''
The Meteors open their Women's National Cricket League and T20 campaign against Western Australia in Perth on October 11.
