Tazmin Brits: Playing for More Than Cricket

South African cricketer Tazmin Brits enters the T20 World Cup with a deeply personal motivation—she’s playing for her mother, Zeldine, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Zeldine, a regular presence at South Africa's matches, had planned to attend the tournament but is unable to travel due to her health.

"My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks ago, so the struggle continues," Brits shared on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast. She highlighted that life’s challenges have taught her the importance of pushing forward. "If you stand still, the world will swallow you. You have to keep moving."

Brits’ journey has been far from easy. In 2021, she lost her father to Covid-19, and a decade earlier, a car accident almost ended her career in sports. A promising javelin thrower on her way to the 2012 London Olympics, the crash left her with severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and dislocated hip. Despite being told it would take a year to walk again, she was running after seven months and eventually returned to sports with the support of her family.

Initially, Brits tried to return to javelin while playing cricket socially, but it was cricket where she realised her talent and potential. "Cricket and sports are fun, but winning makes it more fun," she explained. Once she saw she could make a career out of the sport, her mindset shifted, and she embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

Just months after joining the North West provincial team, Brits was selected for the national squad alongside players like Lizelle Lee and Dane van Niekerk. With both veterans now retired, Brits has cemented her place at the top of the batting order, and the past year has been her most successful. She scored her first two ODI centuries and notched five of her 12 T20I half-centuries during this period.

When asked about her recent form, Brits humbly admitted she couldn't pinpoint a specific reason. "I just go out there and see ball, hit ball," she said, likening herself to Quinton de Kock. She explained she doesn’t focus on stats, preferring a more instinctive approach.

However, Brits has been paying closer attention to improving her strike rate, recognising its importance in catching the attention of big leagues like the WPL, WBBL, and The Hundred. "People want 40 off 20 balls, not just a 50," she remarked, noting that her strike rate has improved to 129.25 since last September.

Despite her success in cricket, Brits still holds onto her Olympic dream, with the rings tattooed on her arm as a reminder. She hopes cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics will broaden the sport’s reach, allowing smaller teams like Namibia and Zimbabwe to participate. "I'm hoping the Olympics will help grow cricket by including more teams," she shared, adding that the upcoming World Cups are also on her radar.

Brits has big aspirations for South Africa, believing a World Cup win could be transformative for the country. "Winning the World Cup would be a massive achievement for our nation. I get goosebumps just thinking about it," she said. She even promised to get a tattoo of the World Cup trophy if South Africa wins, joking that she’d settle for half a tattoo if they only reach the semifinals.

Brits is known for her "ballerina" celebration, a tribute to her late father, which she performs after reaching batting milestones. As the T20 World Cup coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her mother will undoubtedly be on her mind throughout the tournament. "My mom's tough," Brits said with admiration. "I think that's where I get it from."