Leg-spinner Aaminah honoured at Actonville Spurs awards gala
She took 22 wickets in five matches for her team last season.
Ten-year-old leg-spinner Aaminah Abdulla ended her remarkable season on a high, walking away with the Actonville Spurs Cricket Club age-group cricketer of the year award at the club’s gala on September 20.
The young starlet bagged 22 wickets in just five matches, including three five-wicket hauls, a feat that underlined her dominance with the ball in hand and made the season, in her own words, “one I will never forget”.
“I’m grateful for the unwavering support from my parents, teammates and coach Senzo Shongwe, who played a crucial role in helping me master leg spin. I worked very hard. I was committed. I did well,” she said.
While it was an exceptional season with both bat and ball for the bowling all-rounder, it was with the ball in hand where the Summerfields Primary School learner made a mark. Her 22 scalps were studded with skill, discipline and an ability to lure batters into false strokes with flight, dip and turn.
“I had a couple of good matches. I scored a couple of runs. But what stood out for me was a match where I took six wickets. It was really special. Overall, I had a good season. I enjoyed every moment,” said Aaminah.
Aaminah, who also plays for the Actonville Hub’s U13 and U19 sides, first picked up a ball in Grade R, but it was in mini-cricket where she received a good foundation, learning valuable skills such as hand-eye co-ordination, bowling, fielding and batting.
“I started early in my life. But I started taking it seriously in Grade One when I played mini-cricket. From then on, things just happened. I have a real passion for cricket. One day, I would like to play for South Africa.”
She looks up to Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt because of the top-order batter’s elegant stroke play, especially her cover drive, which is often praised as one of the most stylish shots in women’s cricket.
“Laura inspires me. She bats really well. I want to bat like her,” she said.
While Wolvaardt’s elegance with the bat inspires her, Aaminah models her spin bowling on Australia’s two spin legends, off-spinner Nathan Lyon and the late classical leg-spinner and master of deception, Shane Warne.
“They both turn the ball really well.”
Shongwe expressed pride in the all-rounder, saying she deserves the award.
“Leg spin is a difficult skill to master, but Aaminah is excelling. She’s good at controlling it. Her game awareness also stands out. She dominated the leagues, especially among the U13s. The award is well deserved,” he said.
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