I was passionate about javelin but life throws you a curve ball, says Nadine de Klerk

Nadine de Klerk compared her sudden shift from athletics to cricket to a curve ball that doesn’t turn the way one expects. The South African allrounder was a javelin thrower before being picked to play for the Proteas.



“Javelin was something I had a passion for and it was the way I wanted to go with my career, but sometimes life throws you a bit of a curve ball and it doesn’t turn out the way you think it will,” de Klerk told iol.co.za.



“Playing for South Africa happened quite suddenly. I was very much into athletics and only played cricket for fun and missed a lot of games and tours for athletics, so I didn’t take it seriously.”



“But I got a call-up to the national team so I had to make a decision whether I would go with athletics and cricket, and I chose cricket. I’m not regretting anything as far as cricket is concerned because I love this game and representing my country.”



De Klerk, who starred in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup against Australia with a three-fer, has been out of action ever since owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she will soon be seen in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), having been signed up by Brisbane Heat.



“I’m pretty excited, it’s always been a dream and that’s what you work for,” said de Klerk, who is one of the eight South Africa players in the WBBL this year.



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“It’s a really great opportunity and I’m really excited to play against some of my teammates and alongside some legends. Earlier this year was my first time in Australia but I loved every bit of it and there’s no better tournament than the WBBL. Hopefully I can perform well for the Heat.”



The WBBL will be a welcome game-time for de Klerk and the likes of Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt, Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, for, their tour to England was cancelled in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the Rainbow Nation.



“Everyone is eager to get out on the park, four months is a long time and we haven’t played any competitive cricket in some time,” she said about the WBBL, which starts on October 17.



“It’s a really great opportunity to get a chance in the Big Bash with the England tour being cancelled, it’s good to get some competitive cricket in before the end of the year.”