Armed with a crutch and a passion for cricket, Despatch High School pupil Sharif Moodley hopes to inspire and show that having a disability should not stop you from doing what you love.
Moodley, 18, who is in Grade 11 and plays cricket for the school’s first team, has seen his star rise as he continued to put in good performances for the school in the past season.
Moodley told Weekend Post the game of cricket had taught him so much and he could not imagine a life without the sport.
“When I was young, I broke my leg playing a school rugby match at Despatch Primary School.
“I hurt the knee and was meant to have an operation.
“However, due to some complications, my doctor told me my knee would never be the same and I would not be able to play rugby again.
“My love for cricket was always there and after I was told that I would not be able to play rugby again, I had to find another sport to play as I was not prepared to sit at home and do nothing,” Moodley said.
“I was still in primary school when I decided that I wanted to play cricket, but the school did not play cricket.
“So I asked my parents if I could attend Despatch High and that is where I started playing the game,” he added.
When he started high school, Moodley moved straight into the school’s B side, playing in it from grades 8 to 10, before moving to the first team.
“Playing cricket is a dream come true for me. I really enjoy the sport and it is my favourite sport at the moment.
“I hope to take my cricket to the highest level one day.”
Moodley said it would be a massive achievement to represent the province.
Asked how he has had to adapt his game to be able to play with a disability, Moodley said he had not changed his game, despite using a crutch when he bowled and using the bat for stability when he ran.
“I enjoy the game very much and I did not change my game too much.
“I just play my normal game that I play every weekend.
“I try to take every ball as it comes and whatever happens, it’s all part of the game.”
Speaking about his school season, Moodley said it was rather sad that the season had come to an end, as there were no more weekend matches for him to look forward to.
“I cannot pick out one or two favourite matches, because I enjoy every game in which I play,” he said.
He has played club cricket for Daleview and currently for Despatch.
His coach at school and at Despatch, Theo Smit, said Moodley absolutely deserved his place in the sides in which he played due to his “heart of gold and never-say-die attitude”.
I try to take every ball as it comes and whatever happens, it’s all part of the game