Sekhukhune ready to go shopping in Benoni

THERE is a shopping mall in Benoni, on the East Rand, that celebrates the town’s most famous personalities with life-size figurines.

Charlize Theron, the glamorous Hollywood actress, of course, takes centre stage, along with former boxing world champion Brian Mitchell and Comrades legend Frith van der Merwe.

But soon there may be a tiny cutout of the pint-sized Tumi Sekhukhune, the Proteas women’s seam bowler, who hails from the nearby Daveyton.

Sekhukhune, 25, made her international debut in 2018 and has since gone on to play 55 matches across formats for the Proteas, including last season’s one-off Test against England.

But unfortunately for the Lions bowler, she has often been cast in the supporting role to the previous all-star cast of Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka.

Long-term injuries have also played a major role in stalling Sekhukhune’s international career, with a groin ailment ruling her out of last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

But Sekhukhune is finally fit and firing again after getting some muchneeded game time with the SA Emerging XI in Zimbabwe recently.

“It was quite an experience for me. I actually played SA Emerging in 2017/18, and going back was quite nice, because I obviously went back there to get some game time and work on my skill,” Sekhukhune said.

“I knew that I needed to put up my hand and play the senior role in that team. Fortunately, it went my way and I took a few wickets.”

With Ismail also having retired from international cricket and Kapp and Khaka rested for the coming T20I series against Bangladesh starting at Sekhukhune’s home ground, Willowmoore Park, on Sunday, much is expected from the dreadlocked seamer.

“Honestly, for me, it’s quite special to play on my home ground and in front of my family. It is quite special. It didn’t go so well the last time, so hopefully I can get that confidence back,” she said.

“I’ve been in the set-up for quite a while now, but it’s been a couple of rough years with all the injuries. Not playing the Commonwealth Games was a blow, and then picking up another injury, and that forced me to go back and reflect and believe once more that you are capable of being there.

“I just want to get my confidence back. I want to be consistent in my lines and lengths.”

Shutterstock PROTEAS women’s seam bowler Tumi Sekhukhune. |