Matome shines with bat and ball
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday September 16, 2023 06:00
As Botswana hosted the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 qualifier recently, two players, Shameelah Mosweu and Matome shone brightest among a talented crop.
The two were contenders for Botswana’s player of the tournament as they powered the hosts to the final round of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers scheduled for Uganda in December.
While Mosweu received woman of the match awards in two matches, it was Matome who was in belligerent mood in the decisive group decider against Malawi, which lifted Botswana to the semi-finals. Botswana had been pegged back by Malawi and appeared dead and buried when Matome, primarily a pace bowler, walked to the crease.
Her unbeaten 40 saved the day and saw Botswana post a decent score of 124 for five after the hosts had been reduced to 60-4 in the 13th over. Malawi still had a fighting chance as they attempted to chase the victory target. However, as Malawi inched increasingly closer to an unlikely win, Matome snuffed their hopes, with a tight bowling spell that yielded three wickets for 17 runs to hand Botswana the match.
Matome also excelled with the bat when she top scored with 24 in a miserable opening day defeat to Kenya, which the Herons lost by 111 runs. In the second game against Lesotho, although she did not do well with the bat, she was unplayable with the ball in her hands. Matome ripped through a sorry looking Lesotho batting line-up to return figures of six wickets for just one run in three overs. She ended with two maidens as Basotho found no answers. In the final against an extremely superior Kenya side, Matome was the shining light with the ball as she kept their batswoman guessing.
She nipped the only wicket to fall in an impressive bowling spell which deserved to be rewarded better as Kenya romped to a thumping nine-wicket victory. Matome finished the tournament with a haul of 74 runs and 11 wickets.
The 24-year-old’s cricket journey began modestly when she was a Standard 6 pupil at Bokaa Primary School in Molepolole in 2013. She made quick strides as the following year she was already part of the national Under-19 side. “I got attracted to the sport because it was none like other sports and I learned a lot of things from it. My teacher, Mrs Onkemetse Kefodile, inspired me and also, I saw other kids playing so I joined,” she says. Matome was a sprinter who excelled in the 100m and 200m and was also a long and triple jumper.
But when cricket came calling, she abandoned the other activities. “When cricket was introduced in my school, I wanted to try something different since cricket wasn't famous. I used to watch it on television and I loved the sport,” Matome says. She recalls how she became a pace bowler after advice from her team mate. “My coach took me to the Botswana Cricket Club to practice with other players. I was influenced by Thandiwe Legabile who came to me when we were practicing and she kept on encouraging me. She is the one who motivated me to bowl hard (and fast),” she says. As a bowling all-rounder, Matome has been working on improving her batting. She says coaches have been encouraging her and giving her batting tips.
“Also as an individual I told myself that nothing is impossible and also I told myself that I must play to bring forth results. I want to see myself as a great champion and as a role model for upcoming athlete,” she says. “In addition, my batting improves through watching more cricket games on TV which makes me learn new skills and apply them to my batting,” the Molepolole-born player adds. Matome is excelling in a sport that has been largely a male domain. “All I can say to the girls who want to play cricket is that they should believe in themselves and keep on trusting what they are doing. Also they should work hard until they achieve their goals,” she says.
She admits it is difficult for women in sport compared to their male counterparts. This is a worldwide issue. How many people get excited when our female athletes have track events? How many people watch those international races or boxing matches featuring Batswana women compared to men? Fewer people do,” she notes. But she sees light at the end of the tunnel. “Women's support in sport is gradually improving. We can't compare it to men because generally we believe they have been in this for long,” Matome says.
She says her partner and family are supportive of her venture. “It is not an easy journey but I believe with time people will start to recognise us as fully committed just as men. And we will be able to feed our families through sports.” Speedster, Thatayaone Tshose, who plays for the national team, is Matome’s local favourite player, while abroad she admires Kagiso Rabada’s style. Her wish is to explore a career in England, where the game is advanced. Matome likes spending time with family when she is not on a cricket pitch.
Fact File
Full name: Goabilwe Matome
Date of birth: 04/07/1999
Place of birth: Molepolole
Sport: cricket
Batting style: Right hand batter
Bowling style: Right hand pace bowler
Hobbies: Listening to music and cooking
Favourite meal: Dumplings and beef stew