FROM the dusty streets of Bayview, Chatsworth, to the world's biggest cricketing stages, South African cricketing star Denisha Devnarain believes her calling to the game has kept her in it, despite the rough road she has had to travel.
Starting out like most children during the 1990s, in Bakers mini cricket, Devnarain, now 35, said she took an early interest in the game because of an incident that took place at home with her father Jaynand and brother Naresh during the 1994 Cricket World Cup.
“I was around six-years-old and the World Cup was on TV. I didn’t know anything about the game and I remember asking my father if any girls played. I used to be a proper tom-boy and was competitive. When my father said girls did not play cricket, and I saw his and my brother's reactions, it almost triggered me in a way. I then asked our neighbour, who was a carpenter, to make me a cricket bat. I have not looked back since,” said Devnarain.
“My favourite games were at home; with chalk lines on the wall for stumps. Because they were not proper wickets, I never got out even when I was. I used to squeal to my brother and tell him the bails didn’t fall off,” she said jokingly.
Devnarain was fortunate to have been surrounded with other cricket players - like Trisha Chetty and her brother Naresh - who also coached a local club called Chatsworth United.
But playing with the boys at their level from an early age is what set her apart when she entered the world of women’s cricket, despite her being in Grade 8 at the time.
Devnarain played in the boys league for club and school until she was 17-years-old.
“I played with the boys throughout primary and high school. The coaches were never biased towards me. If it was fielding practice, they hit the ball as hard as they would for the boys. At the time it was a bit difficult to get used to but I did. I never thought much of it at the time but when I joined the women’s league it showed.
“I initially nervous to play for KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa because of how I hyped it up in my own head. I was not so confident but when I got there and saw the level the other players were at, it was almost easy for me because I was used to a higher level of training.
“The training with the boys was more intense, so it helped me play at a higher level than what other girls, who played, were exposed to. Looking back, I am grateful for those early days. It helped me get ahead."
She played for the KZN women’s team for 17 years, eight of which she was the captain.
Besides representing KZN to her highest potential, Devnarain has been the star of the Proteas women’s team as well; getting called up to wear the green and gold in 2009, while still in Grade 12.
Initially opening the bowling attack for the Proteas with her former pace attack, Devnarain, an all-rounder, injured her back. She eventually started off-spinning, an art form that she enjoyed on the field.
In 2012, her captaincy at the KZN women’s team, a leadership role that she enjoyed because of the way it opened up other aspects of the game she did not see as a young player, was crowned with a victory.
“Domestic cricket is separated into 16 provinces in South Africa, even though there are only nine provinces. Each province is broken down further. That year, we won the 50-over competition, which was a big thing to me.
“I really enjoyed the leadership role, not only because of who I got to be on the field with but because people trusted me with their thoughts and feelings.
"I think that is where my passion for coaching was ignited. I thought I would just play the game and move on when I was done. But the game was not done with me,” she said.
In 2013, Devnarain stopped playing cricket due to the back injury and the strain of losing her father, sister and granny while she was away from home.
When her father passed away in 2010, she was in Kimberly. When her younger sister died in a car accident in 2013, she was in India; and when her grandmother died in 2015, she was in Richards Bay.
Her spiritual nature and acceptance of a higher being pulled her out of the muck that was depression and back onto the field where she believed she belonged.
“It was hard losing all of them but even more because I was not there. My father was influential in me becoming what I am today. He always wanted me to play and be smart. I also have two degrees, in financial accounting and human resources. I did that because it made my parents happy but playing cricket was always my thing.
“I am a spiritual person and I believe cricket is my calling. Not just playing but being out there and coaching other youngsters and guiding them like I was. I think that definitely brought me back to the game. Having the chance to impact others is of great importance to me.
“The best advice I would give to anyone is not to worry about what societal norms have to say. If you want to do something, do it. Your dream dies when you stop believing.”
"I think that is where my passion for coaching was ignited. I thought I would just play the game and move on when I was done. But the game was not done with me,” she said.
In 2013, Devnarain stopped playing cricket due to the back injury and the strain of losing her father, sister and granny while she was away from home.
When her father passed away in 2010, she was in Kimberly. When her younger sister died in a car accident in 2013, she was in India; and when her grandmother died in 2015, she was in Richards Bay.
Her spiritual nature and acceptance of a higher being pulled her out of the muck that was depression and back onto the field where she believed she belonged.
“It was hard losing all of them but even more because I was not there. My father was influential in me becoming what I am today. He always wanted me to play and be smart. I also have two degrees, in financial accounting and human resources. I did that because it made my parents happy but playing cricket was always my thing.
“I am a spiritual person and I believe cricket is my calling. Not just playing but being out there and coaching other youngsters and guiding them like I was. I think that definitely brought me back to the game. Having the chance to impact others is of great importance to me.
“The best advice I would give to anyone is not to worry about what societal norms have to say. If you want to do something, do it. Your dream dies when you stop believing.”