Nonkululeko Mlaba is a talented left-arm orthodox spinner who has quickly become a key component of South Africa’s white-ball attack. With her flat, accurate trajectory and subtle variations in pace, Mlaba is exceptionally difficult to score against. She excels at building pressure by bowling dot balls, forcing batters to make mistakes. Her ability to bowl in the powerplay, a rare skill for a spinner, makes her an incredibly valuable asset to the team.

She made a rapid rise through the ranks, impressing at the Under-19 level before being fast-tracked into the senior team. Mlaha’s economy rate is consistently among the best in the world, and she has developed a knack for taking crucial wickets. She formed a potent spin partnership with the experienced Sune Luus, giving The Proteas a multi-dimensional bowling attack.

Despite her young age, Mlaba plays with a calmness and maturity that belies her experience. She is unfazed by the big stage, as demonstrated by her composed performances in World Cups. As she continues to develop, adding more weapons to her arsenal, Nonkululeko Mlaba is poised to be the leader of South Africa’s spin department for many years to come.