Davina Perrin burst onto the cricket scene aged just 18 with an extraordinary knock in last year’s Hundred Eliminator, catching the eye of England selectors. This summer, she was back on home turf at Edgbaston Stadium for the Birmingham Phoenix – and we caught up with Davina ahead of her campaign

Davina Perrin’s show-stopping knock at the Oval last summer achieving 101 in only 43 balls not only ensured Northen Superchargers spot in the final but became the fastest century in the history of the women’s Hundred competition. It was the dream innings for Davina topped only by her family’s exuberant celebrations in the stand which made for excellent viewing.

“I could actually hear my mum! She was so loud,” recalls Davina. Afterwards, the England management came calling and Davina’s striving for a regular spot in the national side after successfully working her way back to full fitness after a hamstring injury. She’s still only 19-years-old.

GOLDEN HOUR

A big fan of The Hundred before she became a star of the game, Davina followed the Phoenix to the Eliminator in that first year. She says: ““People were sceptical but as a young fan it was so exciting. Watching your favourite sport grow, it was brilliant. I was the biggest fan.” Davina also recognises the impact the tournament has had on the women’s game particularly. “It’s done wonders. The double header has helped. Fans would arrive at the end of the women’s game initially and realise, ‘actually this is alright’. Fans of the men’s game probably needed an excuse and the double header provided that.”

Davina’s had two years away from the Phoenix but is pleased to be back. She’s grown up playing at Edgbaston, so to be on home turf is a joy. Davina says the ground is full of good vibes. She says: “The later games with the sun setting are particularly good. When that orange light hits the Hollies and balls are flying everywhere, it’s unmatched.”

The tournament has given Davina and all the young players ‘an opportunity put their name on the map’ and also learn from some of the greatest players in the world – namely the Australians. She says: “The Aussies are a different gravy! You learn so much from them obviously in terms of the skills but also the scheduling, the fitness and generally how things work at their end.”

DON’T MENTION HOLES…

The Hundred’s on-field player mic has been a revelation and Davina’s chats have been no exception. Chats ranged from her penchant for creating coffee art. For instance, when she nails a swan first thing in the morning, she knows it’s going to be a good day. Then there’s her fear of holes. Yes holes. From Swiss cheese to holes in the road, she shudders at the very thought. Naturally her fear is fair game for a ribbing from her team-mates who switched her screen saver to Swiss cheese while she was batting one day…

Growing up, Davina just wanted to do what her big sister was doing which happened to be cricket. Like many younger siblings, she remembers: “I also wanted to do it better!” Many back garden games followed and when Davina’s sister started playing at school, she wanted in on the action too. The teacher wasn’t keen as he felt Davina was too young. When she moved schools Davina was able to play a little but it was at her local club, Fordhouses Cricket Club in Wolverhampton, where she really flourished. It’s also where she met coach Chris Guest who is now England Women’s U19 head coach. Davina’s sister was playing in the U9 team and true to form she wanted to play too but was aged just six-years-old. Davina’s dad had a word with coach Chris who watched her play and agreed. County cricket at Warwickshire followed and now England. Davina says it was like a full circle moment working with Chris in the U19.

Davina’s love of the game is obvious but we wonder what it is particularly that she enjoys. “I love how it feels when the ball pings off the middle of the bat. I love that you can be the smallest person but have the biggest impact on a game and celebrating with team-mates.” Davina’s cricket heroes include Viv Richards for his ‘swagger and ability to move the game’, Brian Lara because of his ‘hunger to score runs’ and Michael Holden’s ‘fast and nasty bowling’. She says: “They changed the game. They had an impact, they inspired and I want to do that in the current era.”

GIVING BACK

As well as being busy playing and training, Davina’s been involved in promoting England and Wales Cricket Cities Programme which works to remove barriers to participation. Davina attended one of the Cardio Cricket sessions in Aston that take place across the city every week. Participants enjoyed sessions alongside Davina and fellow Phoenix players Alana King, Will Smeed and Usman Tariq. KP Snacks are putting funding into the ECB scheme which will enable the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation to put on more sessions and engage additional coaching across the region.

For Davina, whose pathway was supported by the African Caribbean Engagement Programme it’s important to give back and encourage more people to get stuck into the sport she loves.