Khaka keeps the faith on long path to recovery

Khaka, 27, last turned out in national colours in June 2018. After more than a year out of the game, she made small steps back into the set-up, playing for South Africa Emerging Women against the visiting Bangladesh A Women in July. She picked up just two wickets in four games across formats, but benefitted from being on the field again.

Now, she is a part of a training camp ahead of South Africa's tour of India, and is grateful for the chance to ease her way back to full rhythm and fitness. Bowling again, she said, had given her a much-needed confidence boost, considering she thought she might never play the sport again.

“It was really special for me,” she said. “I haven’t played many games for a long time now, so to be out in the middle is a good feeling.

“The road back has been really tough, but I’m getting there with each and every session and each and every day that passes by. It’s great to be back working on my skills again, I’ve missed that, so for now I’m enjoying the moment, not rushing or anything like that, just easing my way back into the routine.”

Khaka, who has taken 62 wickets in 54 one-day internationals since, had a slow start to her career after making a debut in 2012, but grew to be an important prong of a quality South African attack from 2016.

Her biggest challenge this past year was keeping her spirits up, she revealed.

“It took longer than expected because first I was told three months, then it went to six and so on. A year later I’m still not back, so it’s been a difficult road," she explained. "It’s been tough, it’s been frustrating. Sometimes it’s even gone to the extent of asking myself whether I’m ever going to bowl again.

"But I kept believing, and here I am today ... Being strong mentally is the most important thing. I had to trust the process."