02/03/2010	Wyatt Revels In Debut Win	View Archive

WYATT REVELS IN DEBUT VICTORY

(TAKEN FROM WWW.ECB.CO.UK)

(Danielle Wyatt recieves her England cap on debut in Mumbai from captain Charlotte Edwards)

Danielle Wyatt’s England career may only be a day old but she has already experienced one of the biggest emotional highs possible in international cricket after hitting the winning runs on her debut against India.

Only hours into her first international appearance, with the team stuggling at 133 for five in their chase of 206 for nine, the teenager emerged from the pavilion to face one of the world’s finest bowlers.

But Wyatt, 18, nullified her opponent’s skill and overcame any internal nerves to help steer her side to a final-over two-wicket victory in Mumbai - thus ending the 3-2 series defeat with a win.

And she was left to reflect on a remarkable day.

“I was dead nervous,” she told ecb.co.uk. “We were five down and chasing a big score. But I just wanted to go out there and do my best and enjoy it.

“The first ball I was facing was from Jhulan Goswami, who is one of the best bowlers in the world, so I just ran her down to third man and got the one.

“And from there I hit the bad balls, ran hard and I can’t believe that we got over the finishing line. So I am really excited and happy.

“I have been in similar situations for county and club but it was completely different today. I went mad, I felt like it was a huge achievement.

“It was definitely the highlight in my career so far,” she added. “I don’t think it gets better than that on debut, hitting the winning runs.”

Wyatt showed composure beyond her tender 18 years to clinch victory with a ball to spare and finish 28 not out from 26 deliveries at the Bandra Kurla Complex.

“All the fielders were close in and their off-spinner was bowling, so I thought ‘right I can go over midwicket’ but I got an edge and it went past the keeper for four.

“I jumped in the air. It was a big achievement and I was really proud.”

It was a day full of promise for the future, with opening batsman, and fellow debutant, 19-year-old Heather Knight top-scoring with 49.

And, although she was disappointed to miss out on a half-century on debut, Knight was more than satisfied with the victory and their performance.

“I didn’t actually know what I was on when I got out so I wasn’t too pleased,” she said.

“We were pretty confident that we were going to get it most of the way through. The run-rate got quite high, almost seven an over, and Danielle Hazell and Danielle Wyatt put on a quick partnership and brought us back into the game really.

“It was quite nerve-wracking watching those last few overs.

“I’ve known Dani (Wyatt) for a while now. We came through the academies system and our counties are in the same league so I have played against her a fair few times. So it was good to have someone else in the same position (on debut).”