Tilly Corteen-Coleman is only 18-years-old, but on 12 June 2026 she will become the youngest player to feature in a T20 World Cup.
The tournament, which will be the tenth edition of the series, will be hosted by England and Wales. It is set to bring together 12 of the world’s best teams as they compete for the coveted trophy.
But what is it like to become one of England’s youngest cricketers? BBC Bitesize caught up with Tilly to discuss her journey into the sport and the importance of being your authentic self.
Kimberley: Tilly, let's take it back to where it all started for you. What were your first memories of playing cricket?
Tilly: Um, probably at my club, Saint Lawrence & Highland Court. I started because my brother started, and I couldn't let him be better than me, so that's what actually got me into it. Um, but yeah, from that just played in the boys’ teams there and then worked my way through with school and different pathways.
Kimberley: And what was the moment where you thought, actually, this could be a career for me and not just a hobby?
Tilly: I'm not sure there was a definite point, but, um, in year seven we had a careers day, and I went as an international cricketer. And so, from that point, I kind of thought there was a possibility that could be a thing. Um, but that was really the time where I was like, this is what I want to do.
Kimberley: And we have to talk about Charlotte Edwards because she has been instrumental in your professional career. What does it feel like having someone like her in your corner?
Tilly: Yeah. It's unbelievable. She's a coach that really cares, so it's really nice kind of having her there for all the big milestones. She gave me my first under-11s cap when I was in the Kent pathway, and then obviously when I got selected in the first year of The Hundred, she was the coach that called me. And then for this, um, she, she called me as well. So yeah, she's been kind of there for all of my great moments, which has been really nice. So yeah, it does really feel like you've got someone fighting in your corner, which I think really helps.
Kimberley: And you say about Charlotte ringing you, I mean, that was a huge moment. Did you actually realise the enormity of what was happening at the time?
Tilly: I think I did. Like, leading up to it, I think I knew how much of an opportunity it would have been and like it was such a big opportunity. I just really didn't believe that I kind of had a chance of being there. Obviously, I'm not a contracted player, and I was just really lucky to kind of get all those opportunities over the winter to train with them. We went to Pretoria to do an intrasquad series, and it was kind of at that point where I was like, this could happen.
Kimberley: You've got a massive summer coming up then. What do you expect from your first women's T20 World Cup?
Tilly: I actually have no idea. Um, I'm kind of trying to stay really present. I think I am someone that tries to look way down the road, but actually just like, really be where my feet are and kind of take it all in.
Kimberley: And I have to ask, Tilly, what do your family and friends make of all of this?
Tilly: They're my biggest cheerleaders. So yeah, I've had them a lot of games, which has been really special. Um, and yeah, it's just really nice that you've got someone to kind of ride the wave with you. Um, obviously cricket's a game that ebbs and flows, so it's nice to have people kind of celebrate your highs, but also be there when, when you're in your lows. So. Yeah, I'm really lucky.
Kimberley: Tilly, you're only 18 yourself. What would you say to any other teenagers that are juggling conflicting workloads and priorities like you are?
Tilly: I think there's no right way to go about it. You just have to do what's best for you. The priority is enjoyment. If you're not enjoying what you're doing, then you're not, you're not going to get the best out of yourself in either aspects of like academics or cricket or whatever sport you're playing. Um, for me, the priority was always sport. Um, but, um, yeah, I think just kind of using the people around you to get what you need and just enjoy the journey.
Kimberley: Looking ahead to the future, what would you like that to hold?
Tilly: I'd love to be on an England Central Contract one day. Um, I'd love to travel through cricket, um, and hopefully play some franchise stuff. But ultimately, like, the big goal was to, um, play for England and have a long career with them.
Kimberley: And if you could go back in time and speak to little Tilly when she was at school in infants, in juniors, what would you say to her?
Tilly: I'd say keep being you, being your authentic self, working as hard as you can and keep being curious.
Kimberley: Well, Tilly, we wish you the best of luck for the future. Thank you very much for talking to us.
Tilly: Thank you.
From school to World Cup spinner
Recalling her first cricket memories, Tilly told us that her love for the sport began when she and her brother joined St Lawrence & Highland Court in Kent. From there she played in the boy’s teams and worked her way through the ranks of school cricket and talent pathways.
But it wasn't until secondary school that Tilly realised her love of cricket could blossom from a hobby into a career. She described attending a careers day in year seven, where she went as an international cricketer. “From that point, I thought there was a possiblilty that could be a thing,” she said. “That was really the time where I thought this is what I want to do.”
Since then Tilly has gone on to break record after record. She made The Hundred history, when she was drafted to play for Southern Brave at the age of 16 years and 336 days - news that she receive during the school summer holidays. The call-up made her the all-time youngest player to participate in the tournament.
The left-arm spinner then took her first international wicket on her England debut against New Zealand in May 2026, which prompted celebratory hugs from teammates Lauren Bell and Heather Knight (the latter of whom had already played two seasons for Devon when Tilly was born)
With so many priorities to juggle at such a young age, we asked Tilly just how she manages to squeeze it all in. “You just have to do what’s best for you,” she explained. “The priority is enjoyment - if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing then you’re not going to get the best out of yourself in either aspects - whether that’s academic, cricket or whatever sport you’re playing,”
“Keep being your authentic self, work as hard as you can and keep being curious.”
Aiming for World Cup glory
The Women’s T20 World Cup trophy has been lifted once by England in the first edition of the tournament in 2009, but they will need to fend off competition from the other 11 teams if they want to do so again. Just what is Tilly expecting from her first ever competition on the world stage?
“I actually have no idea,” she laughed. But she does know that she wants to focus on being present and making the most of the experience. “I am someone that tries to look way down the road, but actually just be where my feet are and kind of take it all in.”
Tilly received the World Cup call-up while still uncapped for England. The news was delivered by head coach Charlotte Edwards, who coincidentally also presented Tilly with her Kent Under-11s cap.
“It was such a big opportunity,” Tilly explained. I just really didn’t believe that I had a chance of being there.”
But she hasn’t been on this journey alone. Tilly describes her friends and family as her ‘biggest cheerleaders’ and tells BBC Bitesize she feels like to have a support system who can support her through the cricketing highs and lows.
Looking to the future, Tilly hopes to travel through cricket, secure an England central contract and play in some franchised tournaments. “Ultimately the goal is to play for England and have a long career with them.”
This article was published in June 2026
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