England Women secured a tense win over New Zealand in the first one-day international, with teenager Tilly Corteen-Coleman playing a starring role on her debut.
The 18-year-old spinner took two wickets and contributed with the bat in a nervy final-wicket partnership alongside stand-in captain Charlie Dean.
Corteen-Coleman’s memorable debut
Tilly Corteen-Coleman’s maturity was evident throughout her England debut in Chester-le-Street. She took her first international wicket, later describing the moment as “a bit emosh”. Corteen-Coleman dismissed Georgia Plimmer, who picked out mid-off, and later added the wicket of Maddy Green.
Her figures of 2-49 ensured that Sophie Ecclestone, who sat out the game with a thigh niggle, was not obviously missed.
Corteen-Coleman revealed she was mostly happy with her performance, despite being self-critical and wanting to hit her areas more consistently.
Dean and Corteen-Coleman seal the win
With ten runs still needed, Corteen-Coleman joined Dean at the crease as the last batter. She helped Dean run twos and contributed with solid defence.
Corteen-Coleman bettered her previous high score of one not out to finish unbeaten on three and seal the win.
She admitted she was not as calm as she looked during the tense finish.
A bright future
Corteen-Coleman’s journey has seen her go from dog-sitting to potentially featuring at the T20 World Cup. Her performances last summer and a winter with England’s senior side on training camps led to her earning a place in the squad for this summer’s T20 World Cup.
Her captain at Southern Brave, Georgia Adams, entrusted her with dog-sitting duties, highlighting the maturity she possesses.
Corteen-Coleman appeared fitter than in her previous major appearances last summer, and looked the part in the outfield.
On the field, she was immediately waving her arms to move her own field after being summoned to the attack by Dean after nine overs.
Her England debut showed maturity with the ball, in the field and, crucially, in the final-wicket partnership with Dean.
Lauren Bell and Heather Knight hugged Corteen-Coleman after her first wicket. Knight had already played two seasons for Devon when Corteen-Coleman was born.
After the match, Corteen-Coleman perched herself next to England’s coaches on the balcony for much of her side’s chase, initially believing her work for the day was done.