GEORGE NEWS - While many young cricketers still dream of wearing provincial colours one day, Mi-Jeanne Botha, a Grade 9 learner of Outeniqua High School, is already playing alongside senior women - while holding her own among the boys on the cricket field, week after week.
A versatile player on Outeniqua High School's U15A team, Mi-Jeanne is also part of the Garden Route Badgers' senior women's squad.
She spoke to George Herald on Wednesday afternoon, 30 September, shortly before taking to the field again during an U15 T20 cricket tournament, where the Kwaggas A team faced Diamantveld from Kimberley.
The tournament ran from 30 September to 3 October and featured 24 teams, mainly from the Eastern and Western Cape, as well as the Kimberley team.
Early days
Mi-Jeanne's love of cricket began long before her high school years. Her brother played cricket at school, and she would often stand beside the field, throwing balls and having a go with the bat herself.
"I have always loved cricket, ever since I was little," she said.
Mi-Jeanne completed her primary school career at Hartenbos Primary, and now trains and plays alongside the boys at Outeniqua High, as there is no separate girls' team. This does not intimidate her in the least.
Her favourite fielding position is cover, and among the players she looks up to is David Miller, particularly for his batting, and Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt. "It is my dream to play for the Proteas one day."
According to Kwaggas' head of cricket, Mark Andrianatos, Mi-Jeanne is one of the few girls who started playing cricket from a young age.
Don't be afraid to play with the boys. Just enjoy it.
Dynamic
One of her standout performances came last year when she scored 160 runs against Punt's U15A team.
"That is very impressive," Andrianatos said. "What is great to see is that girls' cricket is growing."
He said Mi-Jeanne has more than earned her place on the boys' team. "The guys love her. She brings a different dynamic."
Last December, she was selected for the SA Fillies B team, and Andrianatos hopes she will make the side again this year.
"Her goal is to make her mark at the national week in December," he said, and described Mi-Jeanne as one of his most dedicated players.
Rare talent
Mi-Jeanne's private coach, Andrea Agathagelou, believes players like her come along very rarely.
"Her ability to understand and implement highly technical changes is remarkable - adjustments that can take very good players weeks or even months to master, she often executes within a single session," he said.
"She has all the skills and ability to become one of the best players in the world one day, but for now she is still a 15-year-old girl who loves cricket, and it is wonderful to see her enjoying the game and expressing herself without fear."
For other girls who would like to play cricket, but may be hesitant to take to the field alongside boys, Mi-Jeanne has simple advice: "Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to play with the boys. Just enjoy it."
Mi-Jeanne Botha's love of cricket began long before her high school days. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
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