After enduring a career-threatening back injury and around a year of rehabilitation, Proteas Women all-rounder Chloe Tryon is grateful to be back where she belongs: under the spotlight.
The 31-year-old Lions player was called up for the SA squad to play a sub-continent tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka and India later this month.
This would prove valuable experience for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India in September and October.
Tryon told Independent Media this week that her support structure was what pulled her over the line in those mentally and physically challenging months.
Since the recovery, she’s played domestic cricket for the Lions, but had to miss out on the Women’s Premier League in India.
The series against Sri Lanka and India will be her first test at international level since her return to the pitch.
Tryon said the standard of domestic cricket she returned to was at a much higher level than when she took a leave of absence.
FIXTURE UPDATE! 📢
The Proteas Women’s ODI Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and India has new dates! 🏏🔥
Our ladies are ready to take on two powerhouse teams in a battle for ODI glory! 🇿🇦🇱🇰🇮🇳 Stay tuned for all the action!#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/q8YgMc3GwB
“Recovering from last year was really tough. It took a really big mental hit on me. But I am happy that I had people around that really helped me,” Tryon said.
“My trainers and family at home gathered around me, and made sure that I was in the right place.
“I’m really excited to get going in the Sri Lankan series with the team, and hopefully we can get a couple of wins there.
“I was really happy to get the opportunity to play for the Lions. I think they are a great franchise.
“Obviously they won the 50-over trophy, but I am just excited to play for them. I am really pleased with the standards in domestic cricket and how it’s grown.”
The Proteas Women’s team includes three new young faces for the tri-series, namely Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Mianè Smit, all of whom recently returned from the Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
The side now offers a depth with a mix of experience and youth.
The sight of fresh faces in the squad was warmly welcomed, said Tryon.
“Seshnie and Mianè obviously got a taste of it at the World Cup. They didn’t play, but just to be there with the squad and see the standards that we play at was good,” Tryon added.
“I think it’s also going to be nice to have Karabo as well. They bring a lot, and it’s going to be exciting for them to get on the field and show the world what they bring.”
The Proteas Men recently returned from Pakistan where the ICC Champions Trophy was held, and conditions looked challenging for both batsman and bowlers.
Extreme heat and lack of movement on the ball were some of the conditions that bogged down even the best of players.
The Proteas Men also played a similar tri-series against New Zealand and Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy.
The upcoming series for the Proteas Women will likely be just as tough, with conditions expected to be like Durban on steroids, according to Tryon.
Both India and Sri Lanka are at the top of their game when it comes to women’s cricket, with the South Africans expecting a fierce battle come on tour.
They will face India in their first ODI on April 29, followed by Sri Lanka on May 2, India on May 7 and Sri Lanka again on May 9, all at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo
“We’ve played them before and we know that nobody can be taken lightly,” Tryon said.
“I think the game has grown so much, and I think it’s important that we get a good start adapting to the conditions as quickly as we can.
“I know Sri Lanka will be Durban times 10. It’s going to be really hot and test us.”
Batting coach Baakier Abrahams said the series will give them an understanding of the progress the team’s made over the last year.
“I think we’ve been really clear in terms of our mindset and how we want to play. That will allow us to put some good steps in place in terms of looking ahead to the World Cup later in the year in India,” Abrahams told IOL previously.
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa announced on Thursday that the Proteas Women have suffered a blow as batting all-rounder Anneke Bosch has been ruled out of the tour due to illness.
Bosch will be replaced by Western Province batter Lara Goodall in the 15-player squad. The team will depart for Colombo from OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, April 22.