How do I load up old game data?

I stopped playing PvZ2 last year and decided to start up again. Since my phone was running out of storage, I decided to uninstall the app when I stopped playing. I'm sure I had the account registered, and I certainly got those Play Protect points while playing. My Google Play Store thing still shows the achievements and the payment history since I used actual money on it. However when I reinstalled the game, I couldn't load my old data, it's started from scratch. I tried pressing the little cloud but it only asked for my email. I entered my email thinking it would notice that I had used it before but it didn't. Even if I somehow forgot to register my account (which honestly, sounds like me) shouldn't google play recognise games you've played before? But I'm SURE it used to, I remember playing PvZ2 on both of my phones (one for "work" at the time, one personal". 

This is driving me nuts, how d I get my old game back? Can EA restore it if I prove purchases?