The story of fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has been written a thousand times.
Ntini was the boy who used to herd cattle in the village of Mdingi in South Africa's Eastern Cape and became one of his country's finest cricketers.
 Nolu has played one Test and 10 one-day matches so far |
But there is another South African international cricketer, from the village of Masingata - just ten minutes from Mdingi - whose story is less well known.
Her name is Nolubabalo Ndzundzu, or Nolu for short.
The 26 year-old medium-pacer is South Africa's only full-time woman professional cricketer.
In time that will surely change, but Nolu is a unique role model in a community that is rich in cricket tradition and history.
Her father was a keen cricketer; her six elder brothers also play the game and are regular participants in an annual tournament involving village teams in the region.
"As a young girl, when my brothers played cricket in the yard I used to join them," Ndzundzu told BBC Sport.
"My job was just to chase the ball all over the place which I loved. Even if it was going to someone else I wanted to pick it up. The job of chasing the ball stole my heart.
 |  My father cut up a piece of wood so I could have a bat of my own |
"I also wanted my chance to bat and bowl. I would grip the bat all wrong but my eldest brother especially would coach me. My father was also a great encourager."
It has been a long and dusty walk from the hills around Masingata into the national squad, one that began the day she discovered there was a women's team in the nearest large town.
"It was only in 1996 that I heard that there was a women's cricket team in King Williams Town not too far away. The day I heard about it I went there and fortunately it was the day they were practising. I was so happy.
"It was my dream come true when my name was announced in the national squad - the happiest day of my life. It was such an honour because I love the game so much.
"But I was not that comfortable because I had never met the other people and at the time I was also struggling with English. But I was just enjoying being in the field of play - I didn't need English there."
 Ntini was recently Man of the Series against West Indies |
Since breaking into the professional game, Ndzundzu has formed a good friendship with Ntini, speaking to him for tips and encouragement.
Both players are contracted to the Border province where Ndzunzu is employed as a coach and both are vital beacons of hope to other aspiring young cricketers who face a similar battle for recognition.
Nolu knows that others look up to her and want to help in any way she can, although her immediate task is to try and help the national team avenge last year's defeat on their tour to England.
"I want to see myself deeply involved in the development of cricket in the future," she says.
"I know that I cannot go on playing the game for ever - someday my age will force me to stop. But I really want to be involved in developing the game in our disadvantaged areas."
MMIX
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