Stay tuned ... I want to be the best bowler in the world, says Proteas Women's star Nonkululeko Mlaba

JOHANNESBURG - Nonkululeko Mlaba rushes off into a corner, hands her canteen of silverware to Proteas Women’s team media liaison Lita Gqirana, and calls on her personal make-up artist. 

“We’ll be on camera right? … Okay, just give a few minutes to top up,” Mlaba says ahead of our interview. 

The left-arm spinner is not just an outstanding cricketer, but she's also a fashionista that looks splendid in her gold gown that’s fitting for South Africa’s newly-crowned Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

“So, this dress was made by my friend. I went to school with her,” before admitting she had overcome a fashion faux pas on the night. 

“Actually, I had side arms on the side, but then I was celebrating my friend's award winning. And then I don't know what happened. Everything just went south.

“But then I tried to make it look like this now. Hopefully you're not going to get mad at me, girl. I still look pretty!” Mlaba said.

A little dress mishap was certainly not going to spoil a glorious night at Emperors Palace for the 25-year-old, who swept the board at Cricket SA’s annual awards ceremony. 

Along with the premier prize in South African cricket, she was also honoured with the Women’s T20 International Player of the Year, Women’s Players’ Player of the Year and the Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC.

“It means a lot, firstly. And to be honest, I've been working hard because I want to be the best bowler in the world,” Mlaba said.

“So there you've heard it. I'm setting high standards for myself. And it doesn't stop here. 

“I'm only reaching higher and higher. So just watch the space, stay tuned. There's more to come from me. This is not the end.”

The 25-year-old from KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal has created history during the past 12 months when she became the first South African women cricketer to record a 10-wicket haul in the once-off Test against England in Bloemfontein.

But despite the achievement, Mlaba’s focus remains on the white-ball formats as she openly admits the longer version of the game “is a bit boring”. 

“To be honest, I don’t really like Tests because it's long. I've watched a lot of Tests from guys and I'm like, this is too much for me. It was boring,” she said.

“Um, but yeah, I played against England and it turned out to be the best Test I've ever played, so far. Maybe as the time goes by or the more I get to play Test matches, then I'll fall in love with the game.”

Instead, Mlaba has her sights on getting into the lucrative T20 Leagues around the world to expand her playing experience, and hopes her success, particularly at last year’s T20 World Cup where she broke the record for most wickets by a South African bowler will open the door.

“I think the only league that asked me is the CPL (Caribbean Premier League),” she said. “Unfortunately, the first time they launched CPL, I wasn't available because we had the Pakistan tour. 

“And again, they asked me now and I have a Pakistan tour again. So yeah, but hopefully I'll get to play in the CPL. I just need one opportunity. 

"Maybe if I go to CPL, it will open doors for me at IPLs and the Hundred and the other leagues.”