Faye Tunnicliffe’s journey back to the Proteas Women’s T20I squad has been anything but straightforward.
The 25-year-old from Cape Town is set to don the green and gold again as South Africa gear up to face England in a three-match series from 24-30 November in East London, Benoni and Pretoria.
Having last represented South Africa in March 2021 away against India, Tunnicliffe’s return marks a new chapter in her cricketing story – one shaped by persistence, passion and an unwavering competitive spirit.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of growth over the past three, four years,” Tunnicliffe reflects. “All the hard work, and my persistence – being quite stubborn with my goal – is starting to pay off. But this isn’t the end goal. The end goal is to perform and contribute.”
Tunnicliffe’s love for cricket was born in the backyard, playing garden cricket with her father.
“My dad and I were always very competitive, whether it was cricket, squash, or golf. That’s where my competitive nature came from,” she says.
One of her fondest memories is from primary school in Greyton, where as a six-year-old, she took a one-handed catch during a game of mixed cricket.
However, the turning point came in Grade 5, when a friend told her, “Cricket is for boys.”
Her response was simple but resolute: “Tell coach I’ll be at the next practice.”
That bold decision was the beginning of a journey that saw her thrive in boys’ cricket teams through her high school years at Somerset College, where she developed her skills in a highly competitive environment.
“It was really competitive playing in the boys’ team,” she recalls. “They didn’t hold back. They thought, well, this is a goal, possibly keeping me out of the team. So let’s see if we can bounce her out of the net.”
Her academic path at ETA College further supported her cricketing ambitions.
“I did a three-year diploma in sport and exercise science, and I’m also qualified in sports nutrition,” she says. “I wanted to know why I had to do heavy squats and deadlifts. It’s all helped with my game.”
Tunnicliffe’s international debut in 2018 came as something of a whirlwind.
“I felt like a deer in the headlights,” she admits. “But what an experience. Not many people get a call saying, ‘In four days, you’ll be debuting for your country in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.’”
The match, against the West Indies ahead of the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, saw her join a side brimming with iconic players like Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez.
“I feel very lucky to have been in the mix with such amazing players,” she says.
Tunnicliffe’s last international appearance, in 2021, was bittersweet. Despite recording a career-best 18, it marked the start of a three-year hiatus from the Proteas squad. But rather than dwell on the setback, the all-rounder who has also kept wicket on six occasions in T20I cricket for South Africa, channelled her energy into her domestic career with Western Province and the SA Emerging side that won silver at the 2024 African Games’ Women’s T20 tournament in Ghana as part of Team SA.
Her recall to the national team comes after years of relentless effort and self-belief.
“Being back here is awesome,” she beams. “I feel really honoured. It’s a reminder that hard work does pay off.”
Away from the pitch, Tunnicliffe is as multifaceted as they come. An avid wildlife enthusiast who finds solace in visiting game parks and being a manager at a gym in Cape Town. She’s also a talented guitarist, having played for over 14 years.
“I’d love to start a band one day,” she says with a smile.
When asked about her cricketing idol, she doesn’t hesitate: “Sachin Tendulkar. Not only was he an amazing cricketer, but his philosophy of being a good person before being a good cricketer resonates with me.”
As Tunnicliffe prepares to face England, she does so with the wisdom of experience and the hunger of a young player eager to make her mark.
“The end goal is to perform and contribute,” she reiterates.
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
