Devnarain reigns at SA academy
FORMER South African women’s player and current KZN Coastal’s coach Dinesha Devnarain will link up with the women’s national academy in June as the assistant coach for a second year. Devnarain, who is only the eighth woman in South African cricket to obtain her level three CSA coaching certificate, was the first woman in KwaZulu-Natal to achieve this, and is looking forward to adding more value this year after a year of learning in 2018. “I was approached by Cricket SA and asked if I was available and with honour, I agreed,” she said. “It is hugely rewarding to be selected again for the academy. “I learnt a huge amount last year about how to work with other coaches and players from different backgrounds and cultures. “This year, I want to use what I learnt last year to make an impact on the players on more than just a cricketing level.” The former SA Women’s fast bowler will serve as assistant coach to Salieg Nackerdien. The academy is expected to run from June 2 to August. In the 2018/19 season, Devnarain’s prowess as a coach was on full display as the KZN Coastal Women finished as log leaders in Pool B of the 2018 CSA Women’s Provincial One-Day Competition. Devnarain said she was looking to make a difference and produce Proteas players. “Being in a position to change lives and make people good people before good cricketers have been one of my highlights as a coach,” Devnarain said. “I would love for the ladies to always strive to be better than they were yesterday and to always compete with pride.” There will also be two players from KwaZulu-Natal who will be at the academy this year. Nondumiso Shangase and Jade de Figueiredo, who both represent KZN Coastal, are two players Devnarain is excited to watch grow.