Tilly Corteen-Coleman pushing for England cap after landing ‘crazy’ Hundred deal

Tilly Corteen-Coleman is hoping to give up her status as the best paid uncapped woman in English cricket by winning a place in this summer’s T20 World Cup squad.

Corteen-Coleman was one of the big winners at last week’s inaugural Hundred player auction, netting a bumper contract worth £105,000 from Southern Brave – a stunning 740 per cent pay rise on the £12,500 deal she earned in 2025.

It was an eye-catching move for an 18-year-old who has yet to be tested on the global stage, and one that valued her above major international stars including Smriti Mandhana, Georgia Wareham, Alana King and Laura Wolvaardt.

It is also worth more than many of the established England players she has joined in South Africa for this month’s intra-squad training series in Pretoria.

And that is her platform to press her claims for a role in England’s home tournament in June. England are already well served for left-arm spinners, with the outstanding Sophie Ecclestone a guaranteed pick and Linsey Smith also well established, but her auction experience has taught her to think big.

“It was amazing, I can’t quite believe it,” Corteen-Coleman told the Press Association.

“I was lost for words. It’s crazy. Now being involved here with the best players in England is a huge honour and privilege. I’m not going to lie, I’m absolutely buzzing about it.

“I’m realistic that there’s a lot of talent here and it’s a big ask to be knocking on that door but I’ll do everything I can. One thing Lottie (head coach Charlotte Edwards) has said is it doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 30: good enough is good enough.

“There’s a home World Cup coming and we’re going to be centre stage. If there’s an opportunity I’m going to go all in, leave everything on the pitch and jump at every chance.”

Corteen-Coleman is also looking forward to working alongside Ecclestone and Smith in South Africa and sees no reason why she cannot join them in the squad, combining for a hat-trick of left-arm options.

“They are two unbelievable spinners and I’m going to learn lots from them,” she said.

“Obviously it’s elite sport so we’re competing with each other but I’m still young and I see them as role models rather than rivals.

“I’ve bowled with Sophie and had nets with her, same with Linsey, and seeing them so dialled in to what they do has taught me a lot. There is a world where they would play three left-arm spinners in a squad.

“You have to be fearless, if you don’t back yourself you’re not going to get the outcome you want.”

Team Brittin, led by England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, won the first of five internal matches against Charlie Dean’s Team Heyhoe Flint on Monday by nine wickets.