Fourteen-year-old Olivia Marais is a young cricketer who is steadily developing her game and making her presence felt on the pitch through consistent training, determination and focus.

Her journey into cricket began at home, where she played backyard matches with her brother. Those early experiences led to her first official match for her primary school, which became the starting point of her formal cricket career. Her brother and father played a key role in encouraging her to take the sport seriously and pursue it with commitment.

Olivia has developed a strong passion for bowling, enjoying the challenge and excitement of taking wickets. While batting proved more difficult at first, she has worked hard to improve, supported by coaching and regular practice. Over time, her confidence and skill at the crease have grown.

Her high school coach has been instrumental in her development, helping her refine her technique and understand the game better, both mentally and tactically.

Balancing schoolwork and cricket requires discipline. Olivia often completes homework late at night after training sessions, showing her commitment to both her education and her sport. In pressure situations, she manages nerves by focusing on her breathing and communicating with her captain, helping her stay calm and composed in tight matches.

One of her proudest moments came last year when she achieved her first five-wicket haul for her school, a milestone that strengthened her confidence and motivation. Her short-term goals include taking more wickets and scoring her first half-century, while her long-term ambition is to represent South Africa at the Proteas U19 level.

With her work ethic, resilience and love for cricket, Olivia Marais continues to grow as a player, quietly building a promising future in the sport.

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