EXCLUSIVE: “Cricket’s Given Me An Opportunity To Enjoy Sport Again And It’s Really Changed My Life For The Better”- Charis Pavely

Charis Pavely is an emerging all-rounder in women’s cricket, known for her dynamic performances and inspirational journey. Having started playing cricket in middle school, she quickly rose through the ranks to join the Central Sparks and England Under-19 squads. With a promising career ahead, Charis continues to make a significant impact both on and off the field.

She had been a standout performer in the recently concluded season of The Hundred, taking 10 wickets. Her all-round contributions were instrumental to Birmingham Phoenix, showcasing her ability to impact both with the bat and the ball.

Pavely’s consistent performances in this high-profile tournament, coupled with her impressive domestic record, have earned her a well-deserved call-up to the England squad for their upcoming tour of Ireland. This selection is a testament to her growing stature in English cricket and marks an exciting new chapter in her international career.

Speaking to Women’s CricInsight ahead of The Hundred 2024, Charis Pavely outlines her journey, early days and career in a candid chat.

Journey from Middle School to Professional Cricket

Charis Pavely’s journey into the world of cricket began somewhat serendipitously during a middle school lunchtime. A coach introduced the game to her, and although she had no prior knowledge of cricket, this chance encounter set her on a path that would shape her life profoundly.

Reflecting on this, Charis Pavely added, “I actually started playing in middle school. I was about 12 or 13 and started playing started playing then and it was because a coach came in to do it in my lunchtime. But before then, I had no idea about cricket. I’m just really thankful that I had that opportunity at my middle school to play cricket. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Charis also expresses immense gratitude for the opportunity her school provided.

“Cricket’s given me an opportunity to enjoy sport again and that was something that I have struggled with in the past so it’s really changed my life for the better and I’m really thankful for the friends and the people that I’ve met along the way and the opportunities I’m getting because of it,” Charis Pavely shares, highlighting how the game has positively transformed her life, helping her forge meaningful friendships and seize incredible opportunities.

Finding Inspiration

From her early days in middle school to playing professionally, Charis’ cricketing journey has been fueled by inspiration and determination. One pivotal moment was when she attended a match at New Road in Worcester and witnessed Tammy Beaumont’s exceptional batting performance.

“I saw Tammy Beaumont, she batted really well. And I was kind of, ‘Oh, well, I could be like her’,” Charis Pavely recalls. This experience ignited her ambition and eventually led her to join the Worcester County program, where she continued to draw inspiration from Tammy’s achievements.

She further added, “Then as I progressed, I got into the Worcester County program. And she was a big inspiration of mine, just because I saw her do so well and seeing her accomplish so much. That’s when the professional contracts came around with the likes of Central Sparks and the regional teams, that was really something I was aspiring to push to and had had a contract at that time. So I’d say she’s my most recent inspiration.”

The Central Sparks Journey

Charis’ hard work and dedication paid off when she earned a spot in the Central Sparks academy, eventually progressing to the senior pathway. “Central Sparks gave me a really good opportunity in the academy structure and then I’ve progressed to the senior pathway.” Her time with Central Sparks has been transformative, not just in terms of her cricketing skills but also in her personal growth.

Playing For England Under-19 and Memorable Moments

Her talent and perseverance also earned her a place in the England Under-19 squad for the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, a milestone she describes as “the best trip of my life.” She also reminisced, “To go from playing Academy cricket to playing in the Under 19 World Cup is something pretty special.”

The semi-final against Australia stands out as a particularly memorable moment. “Probably the most memorable part of that trip, though, for me was that semi-final against Australia. I don’t think I will ever be involved in such a nail-biter and match again in my life. That was such a memorable part of that tour,” she reminisces, underscoring the intensity and excitement of that experience.

Excitement for The Hundred 2024

As she prepares for The Hundred 2024 season, Charis Pavely is eagerly anticipating playing alongside cricketing legends like Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry in the Birmingham Phoenix squad. “This edition of The Hundred is going to be so good,” she enthuses, highlighting the opportunities the draft and wildcard picks have provided for new talents like herself.

“The draft was really successful. It gives new people the opportunity to showcase their talent. And if the draft and wild card picks didn’t happen, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity. So that’s something I’m really looking forward to seeing and meeting new people as well.” Charis is particularly excited about meeting new people and showcasing her skills in this prestigious league.

The Evolution of Women’s Cricket

Beyond her personal journey, Charis Pavely is enthusiastic about the broader evolution of women’s cricket through franchise leagues. “Great to see so many T20 leagues are sprouting. The opportunity to play so much cricket is great. The fact that countries are supporting women’s franchise, T20 cricket and just franchise cricket all around the world is great to see and it’s really closing that gap between the men’s game and the women’s game so it’s really positive,” she observes, noting how these opportunities are helping to bridge the gap between the men’s and women’s games.

Teammates and Camaraderie

Despite her rising profile, Charis remains grounded and deeply appreciative of her teammates, especially those at Sparks, whom she considers family. “All the girls at Sparks who are like family to me and you see them so much and they are the people that you turn to both on and off the pitch so I’d have to say them,” she says, underscoring the importance of camaraderie and support in her cricketing journey.

Overcoming Challenges with ADHD

Charis’ openness about her ADHD has been both challenging and liberating. Diagnosed after joining Sparks, she initially struggled with understanding her condition. “I’d call it a personal challenge because I didn’t actually know about my ADHD until I started playing cricket because Sparks obviously picked it up and got me a diagnosis so that was hard to deal with but it was actually really I felt really relieved when I got a diagnosis like a weight had really been lifted off my shoulder,” she shares.

“It explains so many things that I couldn’t really put my finger on before I just thought my coping strategies weren’t as good as everyone else’s but it turned out there was actually something more to it.” This diagnosis has helped her develop better coping strategies and understand herself more profoundly.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Charis’ focus is on breaking into the senior squads and delivering match-winning performances. She adds, “Obviously the goals that we’ve selected for that underline team work up like will do such a great job and they just need to go out there and enjoy every opportunity and my next focus is breaking to the senior squads and like try and focus on putting in match-winning performances to get me into those sides.”

Her approach to the game is refreshingly balanced; she takes each day as it comes, avoiding over-planning and staying grounded. “I’m very much taking every day as it comes. There are certain things I do like to do but that’s kind of in a routine but I’m trying to work on breaking some of those with the cycle at the moment because it can sometimes limit your performance. So I just take every day as it comes and see what happens so I’m not going to plan too much ahead,” she asserts, a mindset that helps her stay focused and adaptable.

Off the Field: A Love for Food

Outside of cricket, Charis Pavely is a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to explore different cuisines and cultures through food. “I am a massive foodie and love all my food so when I’m back home I’m probably going out for food two or three times a week because in my opinion, I like to spend my money on experiences and food is such an experience for me and the experience in different cultures and like the taste of different cultures is so incredible,” she admits, viewing these culinary experiences as enriching and enjoyable.

As Charis Pavely gears up for the Ireland tour, her journey from a curious middle schooler to a promising all-rounder is a testament to her talent, resilience, and passion for the game. With her sights set on achieving greater heights, Charis continues to inspire and embody the transformative power of cricket.

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