When Tilly Corteen-Coleman was presented with her Kent U11s cap by Charlotte Edwards, she could never have known that the England great would have some even better news to deliver a few years later.
Now 18, it was fitting that Corteen-Coleman got the call from Edwards to tell her that she was part of England’s squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil.
Outside her family, arguably no one has played a bigger role in the left-arm spinner’s rise than the current England coach.
Edwards was just 16 when she made her own international debut three decades ago, with Corteen-Coleman not quite as prodigious, but not far off.
At the time of the Surrey prospect’s World Cup selection, she was still uncapped, but made a dream start to her international career with two wickets and a vital two not out in a one-wicket win over New Zealand on debut.
In doing so, Corteen-Coleman has started to vindicate the decision of the woman with whom her career has been indelibly linked.
She explained: “She (Edwards) has been a huge part of my journey. It feels like we’ve gone a bit full circle. She was actually the person who gave me my under 11s cap for Kent cricket, which was really special
“Then I saw her around at some second XI fixtures, which was obviously really cool. It’s Charlotte Edwards, I can’t really complain seeing her around. And then the first year of the Hundred she was obviously head coach of Southern Brave, and I got that call from her, which was another huge moment for me in my career.
“Over this winter, she’s given me a lot of good news about being non-travelling reserve for the 50-over World Cup, and going on various tours, and then, and finally, probably the biggest one of all being involved in this World Cup. It has been really special and I’ve loved having her as part of my journey.
“I actually found a photo of when she gave the cap to me and I sent it to her and not that long ago. It was a big moment. She’s been there for a lot of my big moments, so it’s been really nice.”
Part of the England U19 team that reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in 2025, Corteen-Coleman was then a non-travelling reserve with the senior team for the World Cup last year in India.
At domestic level, she has seized her chances both at county level, where she took four wickets in four balls, and in the Hundred, where none other than Meg Lanning was her first victim.
That came under the stewardship of Edwards at the Southern Brave, before she took over the England job in 2025.
And while every phone call about a successful selection is enjoyable, Edwards admitted there was something extra special about delivering the news to Corteen-Coleman given their shared history.
She said: “To tell a player and someone you’ve met when they were 11 and are now 18, and for it to be a bit of a shock to her, it was a really special moment and one you should cherish as a coach. I’m really happy for her and her family that she’s got this opportunity.
“I worked with her at the Southern Brave when she was 16, just to see how much she has grown and developed in two years. I’m really excited about what Tilly can bring to our group.”
At every stage of her journey, Corteen-Coleman has had Edwards in her corner. Now the ambition will be to achieve the ultimate goal together.
Gunhawk
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