Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ASHLEY NDIRAYA has some big shoes to fill.
She is under considerable pressure, partly due to being the cousin of Scottland head coach and Dynamos legend Tonderai Ndiraya.
She also has three younger sisters who have decided to follow her footsteps onto the cricket field.
Beyond her experience as one of the senior stateswomen in the current Zimbabwe Lady Chevrons squad, she also faces the pressure of leading her team to victory.
In fact, the next 12 months or so are set to be a telling period for the Lady Chevrons, who were last year included on the 2025/2029 Women’s Future Tours Programme.
This historic feat will see Zimbabwe move a grade up in terms of competition with tours against South Africa, West Indies, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, among others.
However, despite all these factors, the 32-year-old has done relatively well to handle the pressure.
Interestingly, it turns out the reason is some good advice she received from her cousin some time ago.
“Yes, we are related . . . Tonderai Ndiraya is my cousin. Our fathers are brothers,” Ashley said, in response to the frequently asked question about her connection to Tonderai Ndiraya.
Regarding the pressures of having that name, she said: “I used to feel it, especially in the beginning, and that was largely due to Tonderai.
“However, he told me to just ignore the noise and run my own race.
“So now, there’s no pressure at all.”
Ashley took her cousin’s advice to heart and has managed to carve out quite the impressive career for herself.
Today, celebrated as one of the nation’s leading female cricketers, her story traces back to Kwekwe.
It was there that she traded her tennis racquet for cricket gloves, a bat and a ball, marking the start of her cricketing career.
Growing up in a bustling household of six children — five girls and one boy— Ashley was always surrounded by energy and competition.
“We are a sports-loving family.
“Whether it was soccer in the backyard or tennis at school, there was always something to keep us active,” she recalls.
Her introduction to cricket came relatively late — at the age of 17, to be exact — when she joined the Kwekwe Sports Club.
“I was initially a tennis player,” Ashley explained.
“I represented Manicaland at the Under-14 level, but cricket caught my attention because of its team dynamics.
“Tennis can be a very lonely sport, but cricket felt more like a family-oriented sport.”
She took to cricket effortlessly, displaying a natural talent from the very beginning.
Within months of picking up a bat and ball, Ashley earned a spot in the Zimbabwe Under-19 team.
“That tour to South Africa was a turning point for me.
“We won all our games, and I realised that cricket was more than just a hobby.
“It was my calling,” she said.
Ashley’s rise in the sport was meteoric.
During a 2010 tour, she earned her first national team cap in Kenya.
She went on to become the highest run-scorer for Zimbabwe, exceeding the previous record.
A year later, she was named Women’s Cricketer of the Year.
“That was a surreal moment; it made me believe that I could achieve even more.”
But Ashley’s journey has not been without its challenges.
In January 2023, she suffered a devastating injury, breaking her fibula bone during a training session.
“It was one of the lowest points of my career.
“I had to undergo surgery and spend months in rehabilitation.
“There were times when I doubted if I would ever play again,” she said.
The disappointment did not end there, she added.
Later that year, the Zimbabwe women’s team failed to qualify for the World Cup, a setback that weighed heavily on Ashley.
“It was heartbreaking.
“However, it also made me more determined to work harder and ensure we don’t miss out again.”
Despite the hurdles, Ashley has remained a beacon of resilience and inspiration.
Her performances on the field have been nothing short of stellar.
One of her career highlights came in 2024, when she scored an unbeaten 82 runs against the United States, leading her team to a memorable victory.
“That innings was special; it reminded me why I love this game so much.”
Off the field, she is a role model to many, especially her younger sisters.
“They have taken up cricket because of me, and it has been very humbling to know that I have inspired them.”
When asked about her cricketing idols, she did not hesitate to name them.
“Smriti Mandhana is someone I really admire.
“Her timing and elegance are unmatched.
“Of course, locally, there is Craig Ervine, our Zimbabwe captain.
“His ability to stay calm under pressure is something I try to emulate.”
As Zimbabwe prepare for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and ICC Future Tours Programme, Ashley is focused on the task ahead.
“This is a huge opportunity for us. We want to showcase our talent, learn from the best, and compete against the top teams.
“Personally, my goal is to win more games for Zimbabwe and end my career on a high note,” she said.
Beyond cricket, Ashley enjoys a simple life. She loves reading, watching sports and movies, hiking and travelling.
“I’m an open book; what you see is what you get,” she said.
Ashley says cricket has given her the full spectrum of emotions.
“Cricket has given me so much joy, heartbreak and everything in between.
“But above all, it taught me the value of perseverance. I want to inspire the next generation to dream big and never give up.”
Tinaye Agere