Ayabonga Khaka Biography:
Ayabonga Khaka is an exciting prospect in the fast bowling group of South Africa Women’s team. She is selected in the South Africa’s squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia. She bowls fast and accurate line length. She has been a regular member of South Africa since its resurgence in World Cricket from 2014.
She makes up a formidable fast bowling trio of the South African Women’s team along with Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail. Currently, this trio is considered as one of the best fast bowling groups in Women’s Cricket. Her fast bowling will be a great asset to the team considering the pacy and bouncy wickets in Australia.
Early Life
According to the Cricket South Africa website, she was born in Durban, South Africa on 18 July 1992. She started playing cricket when she was seven years old. But she quit cricket in 2006 to give more time to soccer.
But she returned to cricket again in 2007. She played for Border Provincial U-19 and senior team. She made her ODI debut in 2012 against Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Five days later, she got her T20 cap too against the same opposition.
Debut
ODIs- 2012 vs Bangladesh Women
T20s- 2012 vs Bangladesh Women
Career stats
Batting
ODIs- 60 M/ 82 runs/ avg 4.5/ SR 43.1
T20s- 25 M/ 29 runs/ avg 14.50/ SR 63.1
Bowling
ODIs- 60 M/ 72 wickets/ avg 26.8/ Eco. 4.17
T20s- 25 M/ 24 wickets/ avg 21.2/ Eco. 6.47
Professional Career
Having switched from Soccer to cricket, she has been a good servant of the South Africa Women’s team. She is one of the best fielders in the squad. She bowls medium pace but her canny variations and precise control over bowl makes her an invaluable member of the squad.
She has close to 100 wickets in 85 International matches. Economy of 4.17 in ODIs shows her ability to control the flow of runs and she takes wickets at crucial times for her team.
She was also a part of South Africa’s team which made history by reaching the semifinals of 2017 Women’s World Cup in England. She had a horrible tournament till the semifinals but she performed well when it mattered.
She took 2 wickets in a spell of 10 overs conceding only 28 runs in the semifinals against eventual winners, England. South Africa lost the semifinals by two wickets but their ruthlessness against heavyweights in the tournament was praised by many.
She could only manage only 5 wickets in 7 matches throughout the tournament.
In 2018, she took her 50th ODI wicket against the same opposition she debuted against.
She was awarded a central contract by CSA 2018 for her consistent contributions. She was one of the fourteen players to be awarded a contract.
She was included in the F Van der Merwe squad for inaugural Women’s T20 Super League 2019 in South Africa. Though the tournament has not started yet.
Playing role- Medium pace bowler
Batting style- Right handed
Bowling- Right arm Medium fast
Team’s played for- South Africa Women, Border Provincial U-19 , Border Provincial Senior Women
Formats played- T20s and ODIs
Public Life
Her favourite thing about Cricket is its. environment. She loves the discipline in the game. Her favourite player is Makhaya Ntini. She shares her birthday with the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
Her favourite music is African Pop and she also supports Barcelona, Orlando Pirates and Liverpool. She is happy that women’s cricket is getting recognition and she hopes for the better future of Women’s Cricket.
Full Name- Ayabonga Khaka
Nickname- NA
Age- 27 years old
Hometown- Durban, South Africa
Zodiac sign- Cancer
Nationality- South Africa
Date of birth- 18 July, 1992
School- NA
University- NA
Estimated Net worth- Not exactly known but it is estimated that she has a net worth of about 2 Million US Dollars.
