Delissa Kimmince had stopped her international career and fallen out of love with cricket when Australia's run of five straight women's World Twenty20 finals began in 2010.
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One of Australia's best young bowlers at the end last decade, Kimmince debuted at age 18 in 2008 but was lost to the sport within a year when she took an indefinite break.
But come Sunday's (AEDT) decider against England, her own 10-year journey from teenage debutante to figuring in a World T20 final will be complete when she turns out as a key bowling option for the Aussies in her third stint in the side.
"When I first made it into the Australian side, I was never a consistent performer," Kimmince told AAP.
"I was constantly riding that wave of in and out one game. I didn't enjoy it to be honest ... Every time I played I thought about whether I would get dropped.
"For anyone that plays for Australia in whatever sport, you always feel so lucky to be able to do what you do.
"And honestly I didn't even care. It was quite disappointing and sad when you look back."
Kimmince rejected a national contract and headed to England in 2011 and took up pub work, her passion reignited with cricket chat over the bar and matches for Warwickshire as an opening bat and bowler.
"I played for the fun and enjoyment of it over there. For the love of the game," Kimmince said.
"I learnt when you overthink cricket it can be quite draining. I was definitely in a black hole in cricket when it came to my mental space.
"It refreshed me again and reminded me why we play sport. You play it for the people and the love of the game, not just for the performances."
Kimmince's return since coming back for Queensland in 2013-14 hasn't been clear sailing but it will finally reach its peak on Sunday.
She was back in Australian colours by 2014 and ran drinks in that year's World T20 final, but injuries and selection meant another three years out of the team as she took up AFLW.
She completely missed the 2016 T20 tournament and didn't have access to it on television, before coming back into the Australian side trying to reclaim their title as the third pace option.
"I couldn't tell you anything other than we lost to West indies," Kimmince said of Australia's 2016 campaign.
"Every time the footage came up of that game the girls feel the hurt and all the emotions.
"It's probably a good thing for me that I missed it, I'm in a good place with my cricket and feel relaxed.
"If I was there or had been a part of that it might've eaten away at me or I'd start to overthink things. I'm probably glad I wasn't to be honest."
Australian Associated Press
