North West Dragons Women’s spinner, Evodia Yekile, is on a cricketing journey that is going full-steam ahead with no turning back.
The 21-year-old cricketer got involved in North West Cricket in Khuma and is a proud home-grown product of the Dragons set-up, having spent the last seven years perfecting her craft.
Her economic spin bowling has taken the North West Women’s Dragons to double titles this year; they have won the T20 and ODI championships.
‘My interest in cricket started when I watched Proteas players like Lonwabo Tsotsobe on television. I was first introduced to playing cricket at the age of 15 when I met my first coach, Rico Ramokhethi.

‘At first, I had no idea how to bowl or bat, for instance, but I slowly improved through great coaching. At that stage, I got involved in the North West provincial set-up, playing for the NW women’s u.19 team in Oudsthoorn,’ she said.

This was the break Evodia needed and she enhanced her passion and hunger for cricket daily.
Her hard work and determination paid off when she was selected for the SA u.19 team in 2014 and the SA Emerging Women’s side (SA A) in 2015 and 2016.

Her rise continued in 2018 when she was again chosen for the emerging team to tour to England.

‘I am fortunate to be selected and this is a great step towards making it to the SA Women’s Proteas one day. That is my big dream,’ said a bright-eyed Evodia.

Throughout her career, Evodia has had a knack for making an impression from the outset. Her four wickets on debut for the North West Dragons against KZN Inland in 2013 bears testimony to this. Her accuracy and control this season has been especially remarkable with nine wickets at an average of 2,1 and a bowling best of 2/6.
‘It is all about hard work and creating a family atmosphere at the North West Dragons.

‘I like to use my experience as a player to help the new up-and-coming players too. During matches, I try and set new goals and records as I constantly want to improve myself.’

She also credits the current North West Dragons Women’s coach, Francois van der Merwe, for her development as a cricketer.
‘Coach Francois is like a father to me. He has not only helped me with my cricket but also helped me to get accommodation in Potch,’ she added.
‘Cricket is all about expressing yourself on the field as much as possible,’ she says with a big smile on her face.