EXCLUSIVE: “Cricket’s My Happy Place. I Eat, Sleep And Breathe It. By Choice” – Davina Perrin

The cricketing journey of Davina Perrin is nothing short of remarkable. At just 17, she’s already making waves in the cricketing world, blending youthful exuberance with a maturity beyond her years.

Her cricketing journey continues to gain momentum as she transitions from her notable performances with England U19 in the tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka to a new chapter with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred 2024 season. Her experience in the tri-series, where she showcased her skills against some of the best young talent in the world, has prepared her for the high-intensity environment of The Hundred.

As she settled in for a conversation with Women’s CricInsight ahead of The Hundred, it was evident that her love for the game runs deep, and her story is a testament to her dedication and unwavering passion for cricket.

Cricket: A Sanctuary and Passion

For Davina Perrin, cricket is much more than a sport; it’s a sanctuary. “Cricket’s my happy place. Eat, sleep, and breathe it. By choice,” she says with a sense of contentment and determination. Her commitment to the game is evident in every word, as she describes how deeply intertwined cricket is with her daily life. Whether she’s on the field or off it, cricket is a constant presence that shapes her routine and fuels her passion.

“Even though I’ve signed on a dotted line, it’s still something I can go to. When I feel down, when I’m feeling great, you know, it’s amazing the way it can bring so many people together. But you can still have your own individual moment,” she explains. This duality of cricket as both a communal and personal experience is what makes it so special for Davina.

When she’s feeling down, cricket provides an escape, a place where she can lose herself in the rhythm of the game and find solace. Conversely, when she’s feeling great, cricket amplifies that joy, allowing her to express her happiness and share it with others. It’s a unique blend of collective energy and personal fulfillment, a sport that unites people from diverse backgrounds while also offering individual moments of triumph and reflection.

For Davina, the power of cricket lies in its ability to create bonds and memories that transcend the boundaries of the pitch. “It’s amazing the way it can bring so many people together,” she says, acknowledging the sense of camaraderie and community that cricket fosters. Yet, despite its unifying power, cricket also offers those intimate, solitary moments where a player can focus on their own journey, challenges, and growth.

From the Youngest to the Experienced

Reflecting on her current status as one of the younger players in the England squad during the Under 19 Tri-Series, Davina shared, “I was actually the third youngest now, which was a shift from last year’s World Cup where I was the youngest. It’s different because I was on a slightly more experienced side of the group. Despite being younger than many of my teammates, there’s mutual respect, and they treat me as though I have the same level of experience, which is pretty decent.”

Bowling Evolution: From Pace to Spin and Back

Davina’s journey as a bowler has seen its fair share of twists. “Well, I’ve always been quite batting dominant, like to call myself an all-rounder. And when I was younger I always bowled pace, it’s always what you get tells the ball, you run in, do that. And then I had a bit of a back injury. So I rocked up some trials and they were like, I’ll just bowl spin because I couldn’t do anything. So bowl spin and came out fairly decent. So I bowled that until my bat got better and now I just just do a bit of both,” she explained.

“I hope they both come up on the day or whichever one is needed. Skipper goes, ‘Go track the ball, you’re bowling this today’. And I’ll be like, alright, let’s go! So I just plan to take everything that I can from it and be a sponge. I like to use the phrase be a sponge, just soak it all in. And see where that takes me.” Her adaptability and willingness to embrace challenges have clearly paid off, making her a versatile asset to any team.

Discovering Cricket: A Family Affair

Davina Perrin’s introduction to cricket was somewhat serendipitous. Despite her father’s lifelong involvement in the sport, she remained oblivious to cricket’s allure until she was six. “I didn’t know what cricket was until I was six, which is weird considering my dad played it pretty much all of his life. Just didn’t want to let him know about that part,” she reminisces with a chuckle.

It wasn’t her father’s influence that initially drew her in, but rather the curiosity sparked by her older sister. “But it was actually because of my older sister. She started going off and doing something and I was like, what’s she doing?”

Her sister’s involvement in cricket ignited a spark in young Davina Perrin, fueling a desire to join in and excel. “I want to get in on it. And I found out she was playing cricket, so I used to go and watch her at training, to go and watch her matches,” she recalls. Typical of a younger sibling, Davina’s competitive spirit kicked in. “Me being a typical younger sister, I want to do what she’s doing, but I want to do it better too.”

This sibling rivalry was intense, with her sister often outplaying her in the backyard, leaving Davina frustrated but determined. “She saved me in the back garden too when she smashed me all over the place and I’m storming off in tears because I can’t hit a ball that she’s bowling at me.”

Despite these initial struggles, Davina’s passion for cricket grew stronger. She followed her sister to their local cricket club, eager to join in. “So that was pretty much how it started. I followed her to our local cricket club. And we weren’t sure if I could play because I was so young and it started at under nine.”

Her father, recognizing her enthusiasm, approached the coach, Chris Guest, who would later become a significant figure in her cricketing journey. “But my dad asked the coach who ironically is our head coach, Chris Guest. So yeah, can she come along? Can she play? And he was like, ‘Yeah, go on, get stuck in’.”

From that moment, Davina’s path in cricket was set, and she hasn’t looked back since. “And I guess you could say it’s only gone up from there.”

Inspired by Legends: West Indian Heritage

Davina’s cricketing journey is deeply influenced by her West Indian heritage. Her grandparents and their stories of cricketing greatness left a lasting impression on her. “So I’ve got West Indian heritage on my dad’s side of the family. Both my grandparents came over as part of the Wendell’s generation,” Davina Perrin shares.

Growing up, she was captivated by the prowess of the West Indian cricket team during its peak, often watching old matches and highlights to draw inspiration. “So watching sort of, is it bad to say older West Indian team when they were at that peak play was something I’ve done since I was, yeah, since, as long as I can remember.”

Among the legends, Sir Vivian Richards stands out as her idol. “Sir Viv Richards, I just think he’s phenomenal,” she says with admiration. His fearless approach and confident demeanour on the field resonated deeply with her. “I want to go out and bat like that. I want to go out and play like that. I want to go and express myself with bat and ball and be fearless and hold a bat with as much confidence as he does.” For Davina, Richards epitomizes the kind of cricketer she aspires to be—bold, skilful, and unafraid to take risks.

The ACE Program: A Crucial Support System

The ACE (African Caribbean Engagement) Program has been instrumental in Davina Perrin’s cricketing journey. Reflecting on its impact, she notes, “The ACE program came around, I think it was just before I signed my professional contract, sort of around then. I feel as though they played a very vital role during the sort of early part of my career.” This program provided her with a unique and supportive environment, crucial for her development as a cricketer. “Just in terms of allowing me to have a crisp environment where I can look around and see that there are people who look like me. And that’s something that I didn’t understand the importance of until I experienced it. There’s a different level of comfort that comes along with that.”

The ACE Program, spearheaded by Chevy Green and Ebony Jewel Rainford-Brent, offered Davina more than just cricketing guidance. “Chevy and Ebony, you can say the big bosses of the program, have been such great mentors from the beginning. They helped me find my seat and learn that I could be a role model for so many more young black and ethnic minority individuals who are aspiring to play cricket or just aspiring to do something in general, like anything in life.”

Under their mentorship, Davina Perrin discovered her voice and learned to navigate the challenges that come with being a young, black female cricketer. “But also within that, they’ve really helped me find my own voice, speak up for myself, stand up for myself against any adversities that may come my way. So I’m forever grateful to them and the environment that they’ve created.”

The ACE Program’s significance extends beyond Davina’s personal growth. It represents a broader movement to diversify and enrich the sport by nurturing talent from underrepresented communities. “I hope that they can have the same impact on so many more individuals to come through that program as well,” she says, expressing her desire for the program to continue its transformative work.

Memories from the U19 World Cup

Discussing her time with the England U19 team, Davina’s eyes lit up. “Well, in general, it was my first time going abroad and playing. So that was the biggest bit for me. The level of coverage that we received on it was amazing. I guess the most memorable moment, getting your caps not half bad. Winning against the Aussies. That’s quite a deep-rooted rivalry,” she recalled, underscoring the significance of these milestones in her career.

Domestic Circuit and Personal Growth of Davina Perrin

Playing for the Central Sparks, Davina Perrin made her debut at 15, becoming the youngest to do so in England’s domestic game. “So, the [Central] Sparks have been great. From a young age, though, I came to the academy, and made my debut when I was 15. The youngest to do so in the domestic game in England, which I didn’t realise until maybe about a month or two ago. And I have them to thank for that because it takes, I guess, a bit of bravery from a coach to look at a young player and throw her into that sort of deep end and let me swim.

“In general, from a professional perspective, you learn so much about how to carry yourself, that you can take into environments such as these. So I feel like just that level of experience has helped me to feel more comfortable entering this tri-series or even to enter in the world’s cultures gone. So yeah, not too bad,” she noted.

Navigating Challenges and Staying Motivated

Davina’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. “So I like to think cricket’s a game of ways. There’s so many highs and so many lows. There’s going to be so many times. There have been so many times where I haven’t been selected in the 11 or things like that. I like to just tell myself to control the controllable. You can only control what’s within your power to do so. So as long as I’m turning up to training, I’m doing everything that I can. Cream rises, doesn’t it? You like to think talent prevails and hopefully, that will be proved,” she said, reflecting a pragmatic and resilient mindset.

Embracing Franchise Cricket

The rise of franchise cricket excites Davina. “It’s honestly phenomenal. Like, it is pretty class. Like, as a young player, just watching all of this sort of pop up, I’m literally just thinking, honestly, there are endless opportunities and the sky is the limit. The women’s game is going like this and it should continue to do so. So all I can feel is excitement. When I first started playing cricket, I didn’t even think that there was a career option. And now I think that there are so many things that you can do within the game, as well as represent your country, is just almost surreal,” she enthused.

Balancing Cricket with Personal Interests

Beyond cricket, Davina is a typical teenager who loves music, fashion, and spending time with friends. “So I’m quite a typical teenage girl, really. I like to see my friends. I like to go shopping. I love to get outfits and Jordans, I need a good pair of shoes on my feet. I do. What else is there? Just pretty standard things. My music. I do think music is one of the best creations after cricket, right? So don’t mind a bit of that. Always got some tunes blasted in, whether it’s through a speaker or through my headphones. Those types of things,” she said with a smile.

Words of Wisdom for Her Younger Self

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, Davina said, “Keep your head down, keep that tunnel vision sort of activated. I think especially when you get to sort of like sort of age, I’m at now, so many distractions can fall into place. I’m a teenager, you know. I just reminded myself, when I’m at cricket, to remember what I’m there for. Remember that I do have golden aspirations to achieve. But if we go further back to my younger, younger self, I’ll tell her we’re doing all right, I’ll tell her to keep doing what she’s doing.”

Davina Perrin’s journey is a captivating blend of passion and resilience. As she continues to rise in the cricketing world, her story serves as inspiration for young athletes everywhere, proving that with dedication and the right support, anything is possible.

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