Publications
Partners
LOCAL cricketer Chandre Anker (17) of Kuswag Skool was recently selected to play for the KZN U19 team. Chandre spoke to the Fever’s Purnal Poonusamy about her excitement at being selected, and her career thus far.
- Can you tell us a bit about your sporting history?
- I played for the Lichtenburg High School’s girls first cricket team from 2015 to 2017. I also played for the North West U16 team from 2015 to 2017.
In 2018, I moved to Toti in the second term and I played for U15 boys ACC club, I also play for ACC women’s team; and now I’m in the KZN team.
I’m in Toti’s first team hockey club, I also play first team hockey at my school, and I was Victrix Ludorum at my school in athletics.
PP: What are the positions you play on the cricket team?
CA: I am an all-rounder, right-handed and medium pace bowler. My position in the KZN team has not been set yet but I open the bowling and the batting for Toti.
PP: Why did you choose the Toti Cricket Club?
CA: I chose Toti because it’s my home team. Toti’s spirit is amazing, with every game and all of the girls close and supportive of each other. Even the players from the men’s team come to support us.
The team has improved so much from the first practice until now. They exceeded all of our expectations at Sunday’s game vs Umlazi and they just keep improving with every practice. I’m very proud of what we accomplished in such a short time.
I would recommend people to join because our team has a lot of spirit and we enjoy every second. Our team also has a bright future ahead of us.
PP: Why did you start playing cricket and how long have you been playing?
CA: I’ve always played cricket, since primary school with my brother for fun, and then I wanted to play cricket just like my brother. So, my mother enrolled me with my brother in Dian De Walls Cricket Academy and that’s where my love for cricket started.
PP: What is your inspiration to play and who are the players you look up to?
CA: I look up to Dinesha Devnarain, who is my coach at the U19 KZN squad. She played for the Proteas herself and now she is one of the best coaches in South Africa. I strive to accomplish what she did.
I am also inspired by Coach Zayne Bucks, from ACA, because of his passion for cricket and his personality while coaching us. He is truly amazing. He improved my batting a lot in only one session
PP: Can you tell us your feelings on being selected?
CA: I am so happy to have been selected because it’s such a great opportunity to improve and gain a lot of experience. It’s also great for my future because it gives me chances for bursaries to go and study further.
PP: What are some of the sporting-related accolades that you have received?
CA: I was granted best forward of the year by my school in hockey. I played at North West U16 for three years and was captain for two years; and I made the KZN U19 team.
PP: Are there any cricket-related memories that stand out to you?
CA: The day I played for the U15 Toti Club and I took six wickets in 3.3 overs for eight runs is my best memory
PP: What are your plans for future?
CA: I want to go study further after school. I also want to play for the women’s Dolphins team and ultimately play for the women’s Proteas.
PP: Do you have a message for female cricketers?
CA: Don’t let men undermine you because you are a female, stand up to them and show them you can do anything that they can do, and even better than them sometimes. Work really hard, because there is a bright future for women cricketers.
PP: What is your message to the community?
CA: Hard work really pays off if you keep putting in a lot of effort. Practice your skill to perfection and you are bound to gain success.
