North West Women captain Tazmin Brits made her debut for the Proteas Women in the recent T20Is series against the Bangladesh Women.
Brits earned her Proteas Women selection partly on the back of a hard-hitting – but beautifully composed – innings of 62 off 81 balls (with 11 fours) against the touring Bangladesh side.
Brits was stumped trying to force the pace against Fahima Khatun’s leg breaks, with the bowler then running through the rest of the Proteas batting lineup to record astonishing figures of eight wickets for just five runs, taking her side to victory by 90 runs.
Two weeks later, she made her debut for the Proteas Women against Bangladesh in the second T20I played in Bloemfontein, opening the batting and scoring 10 runs off 10 balls (with two fours) before falling to Panna Ghosh. In a rain-reduced match the following day, she top-scored with a scintillating 29 off 22 balls (with three fours) to set up a 23-run win for the Proteas, who had scored 64 runs in their nine overs.
SA Cricket interviewed Tazmin after her debut weekend.
How did it feel to make your debut for the Proteas?
It was an extremely proud moment for me, knowing I’m representing my country. It is every cricket girl’s dream to one day play for the Proteas. My preparation leading up to the match definitely helped with the level of play, but I knew I had to up my game in order to play at that level. As it is, I needed to adapt to play at a higher intensity.
Describe your feelings walking in to bat the first time in an international match for the Proteas.
I was overwhelmed and definitely a bit nervous but once I was in, the nerves started settling and I just kept telling myself to play my own game – to play ball by ball and not to think in advance. Knowing it was my first game, I wanted to contribute a lot more, but I knew it was just a matter of shot execution that let me down. It made me more fired up for the second game. I couldn’t wait to go bat again.
‘Once I was in, the nerves started settling and I just kept telling myself to play my own game – to play ball by ball and not to think in advance.’ – Tazmin Brits
It must have felt great then to top-score in your second T20I match?
It was pleasing. Besides the fact that I was top scorer, I definitely felt I could have contributed a bit more. I was grateful for another opportunity knowing it was a tough situation with only nine overs in play. I knew I had to stick to the basics and try to set up a score to help lead my team to victory. It was a proud moment for me to contribute with the bat making 29 runs off 22 balls out of a team total of 64, as well as contributing on the field with a catch.
What was it like being part of the team?
There is a great atmosphere and the team spirit definitely makes you feel part of the unit, and knowing when you walk on to the field that you are playing under the same badge.
It must have been a tough tour for the Bangladesh Women. Which of their players stood out for you?
I don’t think any team is satisfied with a whitewash. I do, however, think that they learned a lot on this tour. The batsman Shamima Sultana stood out for me because she showed great character. She didn’t let the pressure get her down and she was constantly fighting for her team. She handled the pressure very well.
After this first taste of international cricket, you must be raring to go?
Having to play my first two international cricket games definitely made me excited and ready for more. In fact, my bags are already packed for England*. With the short amount of game time, I knew there are a few things I need to take a look at, and I will now approach training sessions with a different mindset.
- Tazmin has been selected for the tour to England from 3 June to 1 July 2018. The tour will feature a three-match ODI series as part of the ICC International Women’s Championship (IWC) and a T20 triangular that will include New Zealand.
