Chloe Tryon has played almost 200 internationals across the various formats for South Africa, but the action-packed all-rounder is hoping her overseas spell with the Northern Diamonds can help take her career to new heights.
Tryon has signed on to play regional cricket for the Diamonds until the start of August, the 29-year-old making a fine start to her time in the north with a quick-fire 63 in Saturday’s opening Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy win over Western Storm at Headingley.
She was a T20 World Cup finalist in February, but that Storm game was her first 50-over appearance of any kind since last July when South Africa toured England.
Tryon is aiming to find greater consistency within her game whilst with the RHF Trophy champions, and a successful weekend coming would be a good place to start.
Northern Diamonds’ Chloe Tryon fielding the ball, against Western Storm at Headingley Stadium.
The Diamonds play a Bank Holiday weekend double header this weekend, starting with a trip to New Road in Worcester on Saturday to face the Central Sparks (10.30am).
On Monday, they head to Chelmsford to take on the Sunrisers.
Tryon said: “I haven’t played 50-over cricket for a quite a while, so I want to make sure I’m getting into good form with the bat.
“I’ve not been consistent enough back home with my country or in domestic cricket, and the cricket here is very competitive with really good girls.
“It’s a really good challenge for me, and it will help me grow my game and gain more experience that I can take back home.
“It’s all about being as consistent as I can and adding value to my game.”
The Durban-born star is delighted to have signed on with the Diamonds and to be playing in what remains an embryonic regional structure but one that has gained strength and notoriety extremely quickly – inside only three years.
“England is fantastic at the moment – look at the domestic players coming through who are ending up wearing an England jersey,” she continued.
“The teams are really well balanced, and I’m happy I can come in and hopefully bring a lot of flair into the game but also some experience.”
While’s Tryon’s immediate goals are to advance the cause of the Diamonds over the next few months and to push her own game forwards, she also has an eye on the bigger picture.
“Women’s cricket is growing around the world, and that’s being led by Australia and England at domestic level,” she continued. “These girls here are eager to play and do really well, and it’s really nice to seem them coming through.
“I’m hoping we can do more of that at home, but it’s nice to be part of it here and look at the development of the girls.
“We’re playing catch-up back home in South Africa, so it’s about taking everything I learn here and then hopefully I can help grow things back home.”
Tryon was one of three half-centurions for the Diamonds in Saturday’s win over the Storm, with Lauren Winfield-Hill and Bess Heath also contributing 75 and 71 to a mammoth 280-6 from 36 overs. It was a total well beyond Storm’s reach.
Northern Diamonds’ Chloe Tryon (r) is congratulated on taking a catch to dismiss Western Storm’s Chloe Skelton by Hollie Armitage and Lauren Winfield-Hill.
Reflecting on her debut knock, Tryon said: “I thought it was tough out there.
“I made it look easy, apparently, but no. It was a tricky.
“I knew I had to stay in there until the end so we could get a really competitive score, and I felt everyone who came in built a partnership with me. I’m really happy it came off and I could help the team.
“I was a little bit nervous, I won’t lie, after coming in two days before the game and not having as much cricket as I would have hoped before it.
“I knew I had to stay in as long as I could and keep it simple – back my shots and my ability, and I’m really excited now for the next couple of games.”
Sparks were beaten in their opener on Saturday by the Blaze at Trent Bridge, going down by 59 runs as they failed to chase a target of 213.
Captained by opening batter Eve Jones, they have England seamer Issy Wong available. She even opened the batting on Saturday. Ami Campbell is expected to face her former side.
The Diamonds will hope to repeat last July’s five-wicket win at New Road when they chased 215 courtesy of half-centuries for Winfield-Hill and captain Hollie Armitage.
