In the running for top award
PROTEAS cricketer Dinesha Devnarain is among 10 contenders in the province who have been nominated by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation for the title of Sports Personality of the Year .
The awards ceremony takes place at a gala banquet on Friday night at the International Convention Centre.
Devnarain, who has been receiving awards since the time she was recognised as a cricketer with great potential 17 years ago, considers winning this award the cherry on top of a long and rewarding sports career.
“Being chosen as Cricket South Africa’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year last year was what every female cricketer in the country dreams of. However, the difference between that honour and this nomination is that I’m not being compared to my peers but rather among sports stars representing various other codes of sport,” said Devnarain.
She has played for the Dolphins since 2003 and has recently taken over the coaching reigns of the franchise as well. She completed a level three coaching course – the first woman in KZN to do so.
“When I started out playing for the Dolphins, I assumed the role of an all-rounder – bowling pace as well as being a top-order batter. I re-invented my game after completing my coaching course by becoming more of a specialist batter and bowling spin. I felt that this offered the team more options.”
The hard-hitting Devnarain has a top score of 178 (in a T20 match) at club level.
“On that occasion, everything fell into place for me. It took me 91 balls to reach that score.”
Her highest score at provincial level is 123.
One of her highlights at international level was playing at Lord’s – the home of cricket in England.
After a break from international cricket, when she concentrated on getting her coaching qualifications, Devnarain was enticed back into the international arena two years ago.
She toured with the team to India in February. She led the team to a series victory against Ireland in July and also beat the West Indies in a T20 Series.
After Friday’s awards ceremony, it’s back to the nets for Devnarain, who will be getting into shape for the tour of New Zealand to South Africa next month. Then she packs her bags to do national duty in Australia in November.
The sports personalities she’s up against on Friday are: Alani Ferreira (swimming), Hylton Heggie (swimming), Sihle Mntungwa (judo), Hank McGregor (canoeing), Brigette Hartley (canoeing), Melissa Ann van Bosch (swimming), Henri Schoeman (triathlon), Phindile Makhanya (synchronised swimming) and Sphelele Mthembu (netball).
The winner will depend on the popular choice of the public.
To vote for the Sports Personality of the Year, SMS KZNAWARDS and the name of who you think should win the award. SMSes cost R1.50.