Easterns and Benoni Northerns ladies cricket all-rounder Madison Landsman has always loved cricket.
From honing her skills in the garden with her father to getting her first wicket with her very first ball, she knew she was destined to play at the highest level.
A later bloomer, the 18-year old Benoni High matriculant started playing club cricket as an 11-year old. Her star in the game has shone even against abrasive and aggressive opponents.
“I’ve always loved sports. In the first game I played for a team, I got a wicket with my first ball. It’s something no one expected.”
Being ‘one of the boys’ wasn’t always easy as she had to work extra hard. But that was preparing her for the next chapter in her career.
“Boys cricket has a lot more banter. They say a lot more to try and get into your head and off your game. Playing with them has helped me become mentally stronger.
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“Now in the bigger leagues that I have been fortunate enough to play in, the banter has become more prominent. Playing with the boys has helped me to prepare for it.”
Her rise to the top is continuing gradual as when she’s not with Easterns, she’s part of the South Africa u-19 schools team or at the CSA Girls’ u-19 Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) camp.
“It was a dream come true and being part of the u-19 set-up has been very exciting. I have learned so much from it. I was also invited to the u-19 TAP camp where we were exposed to different types of coaching and playing with and against the best u-19 teams in the country.”
In her maiden season for Easterns in the CSA Women’s Challenge, Madison battled for form. Despite all this, she’s taken everything in her stride and hopes to come back stronger.
“This season has been incredibly important for me looking at it from a growth perspective. It was the first season that I’ve started where I struggled for a bit. It felt like nothing was working for me and it was hard.
“But I pushed through and with patience and hard work. I was determined to not let it get to me and I pushed myself to new limits and overcame what was at first a tough season into one I can be proud of.”
In contrast, at the club level with Northerns ladies, she was satisfied with her performances with both bat and ball.
“The team had a fantastic season. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a part of the team that much this season due to matric. But the games I played in, I enjoyed myself. Playing for this team is always fun and the people in it make it more enjoyable.”
The aspiring journalist knows that to flourish in the sport like her idol, Australia’s Ellyse Perry, she’s got her work cut out for her.
“Ellyse Perry is a women’s cricket icon. I’ve grown up watching her and even read her autobiography. The way she goes about her game and always gives her all for Australia is amazing.
“She is one of the most determined and inspiring players I’ve ever seen. She’s had her fair share of injuries and setbacks but she’s never once let any of that stop her from being the best all-rounder in the world. Her determination is something I admire a lot and inspires me to do the same.”
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