Smit named Eastern Storm women’s batter of the year
"I would love to always have a strike rate of 100 and average of 50."
In her first CSA provincial T20 game for the Eastern Storm last season, Joline Smit got to the crease with her team in trouble on 7/4 after the KZN-Inland seamer, Amanda Ngcobo rattled the Storm’s top order.
The left-handed batter quickly calmed matters and assumed control of the innings, returning with a match-winning knock of 55 off 53 to help her team to a three-wicket win.
It was a performance that earned Smit plaudits from her peers and set the tone for a brilliant season with the bat.
“I had a wonderful season. It was one of the best I’ve ever had. I was supposed to only play in the 50-overs competition. I never saw myself as a T20 player. It was great,” she said.
The 32-year-old was named the Eastern Storm women’s provincial batter of the year during the Eastern Cricket Union’s end-of-season awards ceremony on July 28.
“It’s a great accomplishment. I worked hard. I’m part of a great team. I always received positive feedback from the players and coaches. I’m honoured,” she said.
Confident and with the ability to perfectly read the game, Smit is the quintessential batter gifted with a good cricketing brain and reliable hands capable of playing a wide range of shots.
The Benonian is an intelligent cricketer but her lethal weapon in her arsenal is the calmness she brings to the crease.
“I feel vibes,” she said. “I’ve got the ability to feel if someone is anxious. I try to calm them down because if you are calm at the crease, your strike will also be calm. You need that in a batting partnership.”
She said her goal for the upcoming season is to score more runs and help the Eastern Storm gain promotion to the top six of the CSA women’s limited overs provincial league.
“I want to better myself. I’ve been working hard in the off-season. I would love to always have a strike rate of 100 and an average of 50.
“We are also working towards helping the team achieve promotion to the first division,” she said.
Smit thanked Eastern Storm women’s coach, Adele Van Eck and the team’s senior players for the vital role they played in her career and their guidance of the team’s younger players.
“Coach Adele is phenomenal. If you need to know something, she’s always there to listen and give her advice.
“We have lots of senior players. I look up to a few of them. They bring seniority and good cricket knowledge to the team. They are always willing to assist. I’ve learnt a lot from them since I joined the team,” said Smit.
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