"Struggle never ends" - South African opener Tazmin Brits reveals her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer ahead of Women's T20 World Cup 2024
South African opener Tazmin Brits recently spoke about her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer, just weeks ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. However, the 33-year-old suggested that her family are used to dealing with such struggles now.
Brit already had to deal with a family tragedy three years ago, losing her father to COVID-19 in March 2021. The right-handed batter had also sustained serious injuries during a car accident in 2011 following which she considered taking her own life.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo's Powerplay podcast, Brits reflected that toughness as an attribute is something she gets from her mother.
"My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks ago, so it continues. Struggle never ends. But now I know how to handle it. And now I know that you've got to keep moving. If you stand still, the world will swallow you in. You've got to keep moving. My mom's pretty tough. I think that's where I get it from."
The keeper-batter has enjoyed the last two years with the bat, scoring 489 T20I runs in 18 matches at 37.61 alongside a strike rate of 108.42. She averages 34.70 from 12 T20Is in 2024 and is striking at 114.52 alongside a best of 81.
"I feel like I'm almost Quinton de Kock" - Tazmin Brits
Speaking of her promising current form, the 33-year-old suggested that she doesn't go much into data and is more of a 'see the ball, hit the ball' player. She added:
"I can't even answer that for you. I pretty much just go there and see ball, hit ball. I feel like I'm almost Quinton de Kock. If you see a bat, you pick it up, if it feels good, you go with it. I don't do stats and specs and I'm not one of those bookworms. I'm more like a street-smart person."
South Africa made it to the final of the previous Women's T20 World Cup but lost to Australia.