To be the ‘best leg-spinner at Under-19 World Cup’ is Proteas’ Seshnie’s aim

Jehran Naidoo

From starting out as a pace bowler, South Africa’s Seshnie Naidu wants to stamp her mark on the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup with her leg-break spin.

The 19-year-old goes into the Malaysian-hosted World Cup, which starts on January 18, with senior team experience in her quiver.

Naidu played in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year and a T20 tour of Pakistan.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Naidu’s cricket direction took a turn when she met SA Under-19 head coach Dinesha Devnarain, who has served as her mentor in many ways.

“I started playing cricket in primary school, and that’s where I learnt what hard-ball cricket was and how it was played,” Naidu told Independent Media Sport.

“I started playing cricket at the age of seven, and my parents had always been by my side throughout this journey.

“The ⁠younger me was a pace bowler until I was 13, where I met Coach Dinesha at the Under-13 KZN Week, where I was changed to a leg-spinner.

“She has helped a lot with my leg-spin, and also understanding the game.

“I changed to spin because when I used to bowl pace, I had a leg-spin action and I always bowled (from the) back of the hand.

“Coach Dinesha had a look at my action, and from then, I’ve been working on my leg-spin.

“Coach Dinesha has always helped me with skills, as well as my head space,” said Naidu.

With her parents, friends and extended family excited to see her represent South Africa at an international stage, Naidu said she is looking forward to competing against the best under-19s in the world.

“I’m definitely going to have a lot more experience going into this World Cup, because I’ve been at the women’s World Cup and there was a lot to learn from. My personal goal is to be the best leg-spinner at this World Cup, and bring home the cup and also represent my country,” said Naidu.

Head coach Devnarain said it has been a pleasure watching Naidu grow in the game of cricket, and that she has developed a close relationship with the spinner.

She said Naidu’s development, however, is no accident, as the coaching staff have put an “incredible amount of work into young talent”, including the likes of Naidu and Karabo Meso, to name a few.

“I first met Seshnie when she was nine, so we go back a bit and have even developed a sort of friendship over the years,” Devnarain said.

“It’s not just about cricket with the girls. We also talk about life, and I like to think I played some positive impact in her development.

“From starting out as a pace bowler, I knew she needed a change, and one day asked her if she was willing to bowl spin.

“With some guidance and a lot of training, Seshnie has grown into a cricketer with the potential to be a legend of the game.”