BARBADOS: In the first edition of the Proteas Women’s “How It Started vs How It’s Going” content series, experienced all-rounder Chloé Tryon looks back on how she was first introduced to the game of cricket before becoming a prominent figure on the international stage.
This throwback series aims to explore the personal stories of the players in the Proteas Women squad, offering the fans a unique perspective on the moments, memories, and motivations that shaped their cricket careers.
“My first memory of holding a cricket bat was at the age of three. That was when I got my first bat from my dad, and he always said, from a young age, once I picked it up, I didn’t look like I wanted to drop it again,” Tryon shared on her first interaction with the sport.
The spinning all-rounder, who made her international debut in May 2010 against the West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, picking up a wicket with her first delivery of her career as a seamer at the time, describes the moment she received her maiden call-up more than 15 years ago.
“The moment I got the call-up to the Proteas squad, I was quite shocked. I was 16 years old, and I probably didn’t expect it. It just felt so surreal that this passion of mine that I’ve been dreaming of, wearing the green and gold, was coming true. I was just so excited,” the 31-year-old added.
Now a seasoned international cricketer who has represented her country in a combined 223 matches across all three formats for South Africa, scoring more than 3,300 runs and taking 97 wickets, while featuring for various sides in T20 leagues around the world, Tryon reflects on her evolution as a player and as a person.
The DP World Lions all-rounder credits the challenges she faced playing boys’ cricket in her early years at Scottburgh High School for helping shape her resilience in the game.
“I realised it would be more than a game for me once I left primary school for high school. I’d been playing with the boys for a period of time, and it just helped me in my career. It shaped me to be the cricketer I am today. It was quite tough; they were tough on me, and they just helped me be tough as well. I learned so much from them,” Tryon added.
Asked what she would say to her younger self now, Tryon offered a meaningful message.
“I would say just go out there and have fun. Keep working hard and stay dedicated. You’ll reach your goal when you need to get to it. Trust the process, trust everything you’ve been doing behind closed doors and just go out there and have fun. Don’t overthink it, have fun and make so many memories.
“It’s memories that will last a lifetime,” she concluded.
The series is available on @ProteasWomenCSA social media platforms and forms part of the build-up leading into the team’s white-ball tour of the West Indies between 11 – 23 June.
Proteas Women Squad – West Indies Outbound Tour
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World LIons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
*Uncapped in T20Is
Fixtures – West Indies Outbound Tour
ODI Series
Wednesday, 11 June @ 16h00 SAST
1st ODI: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
Saturday, 14 June @ 16h00 SAST
2nd ODI: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
Tuesday, 17 June @ 16h00 SAST
3rd ODI: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
T20I Series
Friday, 20 June @ 20h00 SAST
1st T20I: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
Sunday, 22 June @ 16h00 SAST
2nd T20I: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
Monday, 23 June @ 20h00 SAST
3rd T20I: West Indies vs South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)
Source: cricket.co.za
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