[9][10] Vakarewa joined the Sydney Thunder ahead of its inaugural season and went on to play in the WBBL|01 championship final, which the team won by three wickets.

[21][22] She toured India with the Australian team in March 2018 but spent the series stricken by food poisoning and did not play a match.

[27] Despite a strong display of recent form, she missed out on selection for Australia's 2020 ICC T20 World Cup squad.

National team selector Shawn Flegler claimed the decision "illustrates the depth of Australian cricket" and that she was one of several players who "could come into the side at any stage and play a role".

[28] Vakarewa was then selected to play for the Governor General's XI in an exhibition match against India at Drummoyne Oval on 28 January 2020.