Familiar failings but calm Corteen-Coleman provides England optimism

Figure caption,

'Fantastic moment' - teenager Corteen-Coleman takes first international wicket

England's 18-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman has always appeared mature beyond her years.

In last year's Hundred her captain at Southern Brave, Georgia Adams, let her be her dog sitter - not a role you'd give to every teenager.

That maturity oozed from Corteen-Coleman throughout her England debut in Chester-le-Street on Sunday - with the ball, in the field and, crucially, in the final-wicket partnership with stand-in captain Charlie Dean, which sealed the tense win over New Zealand in the first one-day international.

Not until after, with her voice breaking a touch as she spoke in her post-match press conference, were there any sign of nerves.

"It was a bit emosh to be fair," she said of her maiden international wicket as Dean shook her head with a grin.

It had taken all day. That was the first evidence of her youthful side.

Corteen-Coleman's day began in the outfield.

She looked the part, appearing fitter than in her previous major appearances last summer after a winter with England's senior side on training camps, which led to her earning a place in the squad for this summer's T20 World Cup.

The left-arm spinner was summoned to the attack by Dean after nine overs and was immediately waving her arms to move her own field.

There was that maturity again.

She beamed when the first wicket came - New Zealand batter Georgia Plimmer done in the air by some canny flight and picking out mid-off.

Corteen-Coleman was hugged by Lauren Bell and then Heather Knight. The latter had already played two seasons for Devon when Corteen-Coleman was born.

In the end, Corteen-Coleman ended with a more than respectable 2-49 as she added the wicket of Maddy Green for 88 in her final over.

She bowled accurately, ensuring England did not obviously miss Sophie Ecclestone - the world's number one spinner who sat out the game with a thigh niggle.

"I was, for the majority, really happy with my performance," said Corteen-Coleman.

"I am quite self-critical so to be honest I would have liked to have hit my areas more than I did.

"I possibly gave too much length and width at times."

Figure caption,

England debutants each pick up wickets against New Zealand

Those words showed maturity but also the teenager's high standards.

Corteen-Coleman perched herself next to England's coaches on the balcony for much of her side's chase. She believed her work for the day was done, but her most consequential moment was still to come.

Ten runs were still needed when she emerged as the last batter to join Dean.

Crucially, she helped Dean run twos and, with solid defence, bettered her previous high score of one not out in The Hundred to finish unbeaten on three and sealed the win.