For Faye Tunnicliffe, the journey back to the Proteas Women’s T20 International 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 T20I 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. 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.”
Proteas Women’s T20I Batting All-Rounder, Faye Tunnicliffe
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 shares. 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, “Cricket is 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, 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 says. “I wanted to know why I had to do heavy squats and deadlifts. It’s all helped with my game.”
Tunnicliffe’s international debut in 2018 came as something of a whirlwind. “I felt like a deer in the headlights,” she admits. “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 says.
Faye is back, back again!😁
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) November 22, 2024
Faye Tunnicliffe makes her triumphant return to the Proteas Women T20i Squad. 🇿🇦🏏
Watch her talk about her journey back at the following link – https://t.co/JpPYorNryr#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/36TyVJvuyP
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 all-rounder—who has also kept wicket on six occasions in T20I cricket for South Africa—channelled her energy into her domestic career with the 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 beams. “I feel really honoured. It’s a reminder that hard work does pay off.”
Away from the pitch, Tunnicliffe is as multifaceted as they come. 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 says with a smile.
“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.”
Tunnicliffe doesn’t hesitate when asked about her cricketing idol
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 reiterates.
Proteas Women T20I Squad – Inbound Tour against 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 for the Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour against England from 24 November to 15 December, 2024
T20I Series
Sun, 24 November, 14h00: 1st T20I: South Africa vs England (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)
Wed, 27 November, 18h00: 2nd T20I: South Africa vs England (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Sat, 30 November, 18h00: 3rd T20I: South Africa vs England (SuperSport Park, Centurion)
IWC ODI Series
Wed, 4 December, 14h00: 1st IWC ODI: South Africa vs England (Kimberley Oval, Kimberley)
Sun, 8 December, 10h00: 2nd Black Day ODI: South Africa vs England (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban)
Wed, 11 December, 14h00: 3rd IWC ODI: South Africa vs England (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Only Test
Sunday, 15 December to Wednesday, 18 December, 10h00: Only Test: South Africa vs England (Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein)
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Proteas Women T20I stars Ayanda Hlubi, Nadine de Klerk and Faye Tunnicliffe pictured spreading the good news at the St Johns Road Primary School, ahead of the series-opening T20 International at the Buffalo Park Stadium in East London on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Pictured with CSA Academy players Leah Jones and Saarah Smith, Tunnicliffe says she wants to ‘perform and contribute’. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 3 Caption: The three-match T20I Series against England starts in East London on Sunday, and precedes three ODI’s and a one-off Test match. Photo: Cricket SA
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