As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, South African opener Tazmin Brits is preparing to play for something far more significant than the game itself: her mother. Zeldine Brits, a constant presence at her daughter’s matches, was set to travel to support Tazmin during the tournament. However, she is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, a diagnosis that has profoundly affected the young cricketer.
A Heartfelt Struggle
“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks ago,” Tazmin shared in an interview on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast. “The struggle never ends. But now I know how to handle it. And now I know that you’ve got to keep moving. If you stand still, the world will swallow you in. You’ve got to keep moving.” This determination reflects not only her resilience but also a deep-seated commitment to honoring her mother’s fight.
Brits’ journey has been fraught with personal challenges. She lost her father to Covid-19 in March 2021 and suffered a severe car accident in 2011 that nearly derailed her athletic aspirations. Initially a promising javelin thrower with Olympic dreams, the accident left her with life-threatening injuries, including a broken pelvis and dislocated hip. Yet, through sheer willpower and familial support, she returned to sports, eventually finding her passion in cricket.
From Javelin to Cricket
After transitioning from javelin to cricket, Brits quickly made a name for herself. She began playing socially before realizing her potential and making the switch to cricket full-time. “Let’s be honest, cricket and sports are fun, but it’s more fun when you win,” she remarked. Her hard work paid off when she was selected for the North West provincial side and subsequently the national team.
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In recent months, Brits has enjoyed a remarkable run of form. She scored her first two centuries in ODIs against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and has been a consistent performer in T20s, notching up five fifties out of twelve matches. Reflecting on her success, she humorously stated, “I can’t even answer that for you. I pretty much just go there and see ball, hit ball.”
Aiming for Improvement
Despite her impressive statistics, Brits recognizes the need for improvement in her game, particularly concerning her strike rate. “I have realized that people don’t always care about the 50s; they want 40 off 20 balls,” she explained. Since last September, she has increased her overall T20 strike rate from 114.25 to 129.25.
Looking ahead, Brits harbors dreams of participating in the Olympics and hopes that cricket’s inclusion will broaden its reach globally. “I’m hoping with the Olympics they make it broader and teams like Namibia or Zimbabwe can get in,” she said.
A World Cup Dream
As she prepares for the upcoming World Cups—two T20 events in 2024 and 2026 and a fifty-over tournament in 2025—Brits is focused on bringing home a title for South Africa. “For our country, winning the World Cup will be a massive thing,” she expressed passionately. The significance of this tournament is heightened by its coincidence with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it an emotionally charged event for Brits.
In a heartfelt gesture, she plans to commemorate South Africa’s success with tattoos representing their achievements: half of the World Cup trophy if they reach the semi-finals and a full tattoo if they win.
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