Sport has always been a lifelong passion for many, but only a few dare to chase that passion beyond a single arena. Around the world, several athletes began their careers in one sport, only to discover their true calling elsewhere. Their commitment, versatility and hunger for excellence helped them redefine success — not once, but twice.
Interestingly, this phenomenon is rare in India. Once an athlete makes it to professional cricket here, the journey becomes so demanding and rewarding that switching sports is almost unheard of. Passion takes a different turn — it narrows into mastery rather than exploration.
However, on the global stage, some extraordinary women cricketers have proven that greatness doesn’t have to be confined to one field — literally.
As the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is underway, being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka with teams from Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate women who broke the mould. These athletes didn’t just represent their countries in cricket, they excelled in multiple international sports, often at the highest stage.
Women cricketers who turned multi-sport icons
Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
Cricket: Former New Zealand captain and one of the highest run-getters in women’s cricket.
Other sports: Played basketball for New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Cricket: One of the finest all-rounders in women’s cricket history.
Other sports: Represented Australia in football, playing for the Matildas and featuring in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She has also been part of Olympic-winning squads.
Sunette Viljoen (South Africa)
Cricket: A reliable bowler and all-rounder for South Africa.
Other sports: Later switched to athletics, winning a silver medal in javelin at the 2016 Rio Olympics, before returning to cricket.
Jess Duffin (Australia)
Cricket: Top-scored in the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final.
Other sports: Switched to Australian Rules Football and played professionally in the AFLW.
Tazmin Brits (South Africa)
Cricket: A powerful top-order batter.
Other sports: Former javelin thrower who won gold at the World Junior Championships.
Betty Snowball (Scotland / England)
Cricket: Represented England between 1934 and 1949.
Other sports: Also represented Scotland in both squash and lacrosse, and that too in an era when women’s sport received little recognition.
A cue for India?
These women remind us that talent need not be boxed into one discipline. While India hasn’t yet seen a woman cricketer scale similar heights in multiple sports, perhaps the expanding landscape of women’s leagues, increased professionalism and rising visibility may soon change that.
Who knows, the next Ellyse Perry or Suzie Bates may be warming up in an Indian academy right now. Until then, these global trailblazers continue to inspire, proving that passion has no boundaries, only new arenas waiting to be conquered.
By Joe Williams
Also read: Best chance for hosts India to win ICC women’s World Cup