For Faye Tunnicliffe, the journey back to the Proteas Women’s T20 International (T20I) squad has been anything but straightforward.
The 25-year-old from Cape Town is set to don the green and gold again as South Africa gear up to face England in an upcoming three-match series from 24 - 30 November in East London, Benoni and Tshwane.
Having last represented South Africa in March 2021 away against India, Tunnicliffe’s return marks a new chapter in her cricketing story - one shaped by persistence, passion, and an unwavering competitive spirit.
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of growth over the last three, four years,” Tunnicliffe reflected. “All the hard work, and my persistence - being quite stubborn with my goal - is starting to pay off. But this isn’t the end goal. The end goal is to perform and contribute.”
PLAYING IN THE BACKYARD
Tunnicliffe’s love for cricket was born in the backyard, playing garden cricket with her father. “My dad and I were always very competitive, whether it was cricket, squash, or golf. That’s where my competitive nature came from,” she shared.
One of her fondest memories is from primary school in Greyton, where as a six-year-old, she took a one-handed catch during a game of mixed cricket.
However, the turning point came in Grade 5, when a friend told her that cricket was for boys. Her response was simple but resolute: “Tell coach I’ll be at the next practice.” That bold decision was the beginning of a journey that saw her thrive in boys’ cricket teams through her high school years at Somerset College, where she developed her skills in a highly competitive environment.
“It was really competitive playing in the boys’ team,” she recalls. “They didn’t hold back. They thought, well, this is a goal, possibly keeping me out of the team. So let's see if we can bounce her out of the net.”
Her academic path at ETA College further supported her cricketing ambitions. “I did a three-year diploma in Sport and Exercise Science, and I’m also qualified in Sports Nutrition,” she said. “I wanted to know why I had to do heavy squats and deadlifts. It’s all helped with my game.”
INTERNATIONAL DEBUT
Tunnicliffe’s international debut in 2018 came as something of a whirlwind. “I felt like a deer in the headlights,” she admitted. “But what an experience. Not many people get a call saying, ‘In four days, you’ll be debuting for your country in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.’”
The match, against the West Indies ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2018, saw her join a side brimming with iconic players like Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez. “I feel very lucky to have been in the mix with such amazing players,” she said.
Tunnicliffe’s last international appearance, in 2021, was a bittersweet memory. Despite recording a career-best 18, it marked the start of a three-year hiatus from the Proteas squad.
But rather than dwell on the setback, the allrounder, who has also kept wicket on six occasions in T20I cricket for South Africa, channelled her energy into her domestic career with World Sports Betting Western Province and the SA Emerging side, which won silver at the 2024 African Games’ Women’s T20 tournament in Ghana as part of Team SA.
Her recall to the national team comes after years of relentless effort and self-belief. “Being back here is awesome,” she beamed. “I feel really honoured. It’s a reminder that hard work does pay off.”
MULTIFACETED
Away from the pitch, Tunnicliffe is as multifaceted as they come. She's an avid wildlife enthusiast who finds solace in visiting game parks and being a manager at a gym in Cape Town. She’s also a talented guitarist, having played for over 14 years. “I’d love to start a band one day,” she said with a smile.
When asked about her cricketing idol, she didn’t hesitate: “Sachin Tendulkar. Not only was he an amazing cricketer, but his philosophy of being a good person before being a good cricketer resonates with me.”
As Tunnicliffe prepares to face England, she does so with the wisdom of experience and the hunger of a young player eager to make her mark. “The end goal is to perform and contribute,” she reiterated.
Proteas Women's T20I Squad - Inbound Tour v England (2024/25)
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province)
FIXTURES
T20I Series
Sunday, 24 November at 2pm - 1st T20I: South Africa v England - Buffalo Park Stadium, East London
Wednesday, 27 November at 6pm - 2nd T20I: South Africa v England - Willowmoore Park, Benoni
Saturday, 30 November at 6pm - 3rd T20I: South Africa v England - SuperSport Park, Centurion
IWC ODI Series
Wednesday, 4 December at 2pm - 1st IWC ODI: South Africa v England - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
Sunday, 8 December at 10am - 2nd Black Day ODI: South Africa v England – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
Wednesday, 11 December at 2pm - 3rd IWC ODI: South Africa v England – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Only test
Sunday, 15 – Wednesday, 18 December at 10am - Only test: South Africa v England - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein