By Admin 
From winning javelin gold at the World Youth Championships to becoming the first woman to score five ODI centuries in a year, Tazmin Brits has lived an extraordinary life in sport. In this chat, the 34-year-old South African talks about her experience at the ongoing World Cup, the evolution of her batting, the pain of missing the 2012 Olympics and how cricket helped ease it
Tazmin Brits’ life has had some strange turns. Stranger than most people’s lives. She won the javelin gold at the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics and went on to establish herself as one of the world’s most promising throwers. Her eyes were set on the London Olympics of 2012. A terrible car crash dashed those dreams. She was lucky to survive. But she fought back. With more grit than most people.
Cricket gave Brits a second innings in life, even if she could not quite cement her position in the South African team for years. She contemplated quitting. But, early this month, the 34-year-old became the first woman in history to hit five ODI hundreds in a calendar year. That fifth hundred came in the ongoing World Cup, in which South Africa has advanced to the semifinals. Excerpts from an exclusive interview Brits gave The Hindu:
How have you found the experience of the World Cup in India thus far?
It has been great, apart from the heat and the humidity, but we are used to that by now. It was amazing when we played against India. The amount of fans that were actually there — that is what you want at cricket stadiums. You want to fill them up, especially in the women’s game. And they actually supported us as well, which is quite nice.
You have been in fabulous form this year. Is it a result of something different that you have been working on?
Yeah, we have been working on quite a few things. We have had a lot of batting camps as well. I am trying to become more of a 360-degree player, instead of just [being] one dimensional. I still think I have a lot to learn, but I am glad that the work is paying off.
How do you look back at your 171 not out against Pakistan at Lahore last month?
I have tried to think what I actually did in that game, but it was one of those where it was just flowing. I mean, I was reverse-hitting seamers; you always practise those shots, but you never get the opportunity to do them in the game. So it was nice to be able to do that and to actually contribute to the team.
How did it feel, making three hundreds in a row?
It was quite great. I wish I could have continued like that. It would be nice if you could make a hundred every single game. But I am very critical of myself. So I always prepare myself to do that. Hopefully I can get a few more.
What was it like, making it to the final in front of a home crowd at the 2023 T20 World Cup?
I think the home crowd actually helped us to get to that final. Just the amount of South Africans that were actually in those stands — at the end of the day, you don’t just play for the badge, but also for your own people in the background.
And you made a big contribution in that semifinal win against England — 68 and four catches.
I had never done something like that before, so that also made me realise that I am capable of a lot more. I did put a bit of pressure on myself because I always wonder how am I going to match that? Making 60-odd runs and taking four catches…it was a great feeling.
You have formed a highly successful opening partnership with your captain Laura Wolvaardt. You have the best seat in the house to watch those lovely cover drives.
I definitely enjoy it. A lot of times when I see those shots I wonder how she does that, because clearly my type of technique is not the same. People that we play against know by now if you miss your length on the off-side, Wolfy’s coming into you. It is great to see that.
You made your debut for South Africa in 2018, but it took a while for you to become a regular member of the team. Were those days difficult?
It was very difficult and a lot of times I actually wanted to retire from cricket due to the fact that the opportunity wasn’t that much. You know, you almost feel like you would rather go do a different job. But I am glad I actually persisted and was motivated to stay in.
How did you begin playing cricket?
I played a bit in primary school. I played with the boys, but the majority of my sports was actually athletics. I loved sports in general and then I let go of cricket a bit to focus more on my javelin career, but by god’s will I actually ended up playing cricket again.
Were you always a javelin thrower?
I just tried every single sport that I could possibly do when I was younger. I could throw the javelin very far, but I could never peg the javelin and then I met my coach and ended up going to high school with him. Then they taught me how to peg it and from there I just fell in love with the sport.
Your memories of winning gold at the World Youth Championships…
If we win the World Cup, it might top that, but it is one of my best memories. I remember the whole crowd clapping with me. I actually get goosebumps now just thinking of it: you know, running down that runway, and I was like, it is now or never, throwing that javelin and seeing how it actually goes, when the commentators read out the distance that you threw… to know that you are No. 1 in the world, I don’t think someone can actually describe that feeling.
You had to miss out on the London Olympics…
I went through a big stage of depression as well, and tried to commit suicide. But luckily I had a good support system, I had my mom and my dad and a few mates of mine. They, and cricket, actually got me out of it: I ended up playing a bit of club cricket and then provincial cricket, just to be amongst people and friends.
Which cricketers do you admire?
I am a big fan of Quinton de Kock. I am very glad that he is back into our system. I actually know him personally. I am a fan of Virat Kohli as well. I enjoy watching Smriti Mandhana. She is quite passionate about the game. She is one of the world’s best. She is, of course, ranked No. 1 in the world at the moment, and it is nice to watch a left-hander. That is also why I like Quinton.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050. Helplines across the country can be accessed here: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/suicide-prevention-helplines/article61753129.ece