Tilly’s rapid rise to England’s T20 World Cup squad
From receiving a Kent U11s cap to earning an England Women’s T20 World Cup call-up, Tilly Corteen-Coleman’s rise has closely mirrored Charlotte Edwards’ guidance.
When Tilly Corteen-Coleman received her Kent Under-11s cap years ago, the moment itself felt special enough.
What the young spinner could never have imagined then was that the same person presenting her with that cap, Charlotte Edwards, would one day call to inform her of selection for England’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad.
Now 18, Corteen-Coleman enters the tournament as one of the most exciting young prospects, with her journey and Edwards’ mentorship becoming closely intertwined over the years.
“She has been a huge part of my journey,” Corteen-Coleman said.
“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.”
“Over this winter, she's given me a lot of good news about being a 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,” she continued.
“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.”
The teenager’s rise accelerated quickly after her Kent debut in 2024 before progressing through the South East Stars pathway. Her breakout moment came in the Charlotte Edwards Cup when she claimed four wickets in four balls – a spell that immediately placed her firmly on England’s radar.
She strengthened that reputation further at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2025, including a superb spell of 4/8 against New Zealand in the Super Six stage.
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At the time of her World Cup selection, Corteen-Coleman was still uncapped internationally. Since then, she has already begun justifying the excitement around her with impressive performances in her opening appearances for England, including a two-wicket haul on ODI debut against New Zealand where she dismissed both Georgia Plimmer and the well-set Maddy Green.
Edwards admitted delivering the World Cup news was one of the more emotional moments of her coaching career.
“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,” Edwards said.
“I’m really happy for her and her family that she's got this opportunity.”
The England coach also highlighted how quickly the young spinner has developed over the last two years.
“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,” Edwards added.
From receiving a Kent cap as an 11-year-old to stepping onto the biggest stage in women’s T20 cricket, Corteen-Coleman’s journey has been rapid, but every step suggests England may have found another star for the future.