Rarely has Meg Lanning struggled through a season like she did last year. The pain made her realise just how much she loves leading her country.
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She had never taken the Australian captaincy role for granted, but Lanning's mere presence on the field commanded respect and she wasn't sure what to do with herself when that privilege was taken away.
At just 26, she has been Australian captain for five years and holds the record for most women's one-day international centuries, already forging a legacy as one of the greatest to grace the game.
So her absence during an Ashes summer due to a shoulder injury was hard to comprehend. Not just for the scores of fans that want to see Lanning bat, but for the Australian skipper herself.
A stint on the sideline made her realise just how much she loved that feeling of pulling off the helmet and kissing the coat of arms, so Lanning was never going to miss a beat upon her return.
Lanning has racked up scores of 56 not out and 19 to lead the host nation to a series victory with one game to spare - a showdown at Manuka Oval on Friday night.
"I struggled a fair bit with it, especially being such a big series in the Ashes," Lanning said.
"It made me realise how much I love being out there and playing. I’m really happy to be back, pretty much fully fit now, so [I've been] looking forward to the summer starting.
"Obviously missing a little bit of time made me realise how much I love being out there. Against New Zealand as well, a team we have had some good battles against in the past so I’m looking forward to coming up against them [in Canberra].
Australia and New Zealand flew to Canberra on Tuesday to begin preparations for their final international hitout before the World Twenty20 begins in the Caribbean on November 9.
The chance to reclaim more silverware is fuelling the fire for Lanning, who missed the chance to redeem herself in the Ashes series following Australia's shock early exit from last year's Cricket World Cup.
The landscape of women's cricket has shifted in recent seasons with more international stars playing on Australian soil in the WBBL - and in prime time television slots to boot.
It means there is "nowhere to hide" as Australia go hunting for a record fourth World Twenty20 title.
"They’re three really big games for us heading into the World Twenty20 so we need to make the most of it against a really good opposition in New Zealand," Lanning said.
"We know a fair bit about other teams and they know a fair bit about us too. There’s nowhere to hide these days and everyone knows everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.
"The other thing the WBBL does is expose young players to a big stage and it gets them used to playing on TV and some crowds as well.
"When Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck come into our squad, they will have experienced that before, so I think WBBL plays a really big role."
TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL SERIES
Friday: Australia v New Zealand White Ferns at Manuka Oval, 7.20pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
