Tumi Sekhukhune continues to be a role model and example for all young cricketers in the game, writes Khalid Mohidin. 

I had just finished interviewing Faf du Plessis when I turned my head and saw a nervous young award winner standing big-eyed waiting to face the media. What she didn’t know was that we had one thing in common. I stood on that exact spot moments ago, to get myself in the zone for the interviews to come.

For me, I feel it every time I’m about to press the record button and chat to a player; for her, as a young cricketer who has just emerged on the scene, it will be nerve-wracking having to address the media on probably one of the biggest nights of your career. 

As nervous as she was, I was too. I was about to interview one of the future stars of our beloved game. I introduced myself and told her I will try to prep her so that the rest of her interviews after me would not be as daunting. I hope it worked and that she managed to use her fighting spirit she shows on the field, to rip through the interviews.

The 20-year-old made her debut for the Proteas Women last season and had an incredible run of form. Her drive and passion shone through her performances as she marked her place in the national side. She took 10 wickets in nine ODIs and 11 in 14 T20Is which helped her claim the Newcomer of the Year award.

Already an inspiration by her performances alone, Sekhukhune gave more back by leaving some advice to the next young cricketer knocking on the door.

“I faced a lot of obstacles but what actually stood out for me was to fall in love with the process,” she said exclusively to Cricket Fanatics Magazine. 

“If you fall I love with the process and remain passionate in everything you do, that’s going to make you succeed at the end of the day. Stay focused and follow your passion” 

Sekhukhune has a bright future ahead of her and winning her first CSA Award is just the beginning. 

Photo: Cricket South Africa/Twitter