Women’s cricket is steadily rising in KwaZulu-Natal Inland, with the Moothee Ram Tuskers women’s side emerging as one of the region’s most exciting success stories.

While KZN Inland Cricket has traditionally been associated with administering the senior men’s team, the union oversees a broad and growing structure that includes boys’ and girls’ age-group teams, hubs, veterans and senior women’s cricket.

Central to that growth is a deliberate investment in the women’s game — a sector the union believes holds enormous potential.

The Tuskers women’s team is beginning to reap the rewards of that investment. Competing in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Women’s League, the side has shown steady improvement and growing confidence throughout the season.

At the helm is Level 3 coach Adele van Eck, a respected figure in local cricket who is also part of the South African Under-19 girls’ national coaching set-up. Her dual role has brought both credibility and high-performance insight to the Tuskers camp.

KZN Inland Cricket CEO Jason Sathiaseelan said Van Eck has been instrumental in shaping the team’s upward trajectory. “She’s employed as one of our coaches and is also part of the SA U19 girls’ coaching staff. She adds immense value to the Tuskers women’s team,” explained Sathiaseelan.

On the field, the results are beginning to reflect that structure. The team has recorded a win and a loss in recent outings, but according to Sathiaseelan, the broader picture is one of consistent growth.

“The team is improving all the time — the future looks bright,” he said.

The formation of the women’s side was initially aligned with CSA’s mandate requiring unions to field a women’s team. However, Sathiaseelan said the objective extends far beyond compliance.

“It is a CSA requirement and part of our development structures that we are required to have a women’s team. But more importantly, this is a sector we are actively growing. We want to promote ladies’ cricket in our region,” he said.

The ambition is clear. Over the next three years, KZN Inland aims to secure promotion for the Moothee Ram Tuskers women’s team to Division 1 — a fully professional environment where players earn contracts.

Our three-year strategy is to get the Tuskers ladies promoted to Division 1. Our coach is driving that vision in conjunction with the union.

As part of strengthening the women’s pipeline, the union will host the Women’s Tuskers Premier League from April 10-12 at the AET Pietermaritzburg Oval — a key platform for identifying and nurturing emerging talent.

Significantly, several players developed within the Tuskers system have already progressed to Division 1 franchises, earning professional contracts elsewhere — a testament to the effectiveness of the region’s development structures.

“Some of our players have joined other franchises in Division 1 on contracts. Our coach believes in the current squad and is quietly confident that she can build something special,” said Sathiaseelan.

While the men’s senior team continues to navigate the challenges of Division 1 cricket, the women’s programme represents a beacon of long-term planning and sustainable growth within the union.

With structured investment, experienced coaching and a clear professional pathway, women’s cricket in KZN Inland is no longer an afterthought — it is a strategic priority.