Tilly Corteen-Coleman represents the future of England Women's cricket in a World Cup squad which is otherwise bereft of newcomers.
The re-emergence of Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp is unsurprising now that both are fully fit after back stress fractures, given the depth they add as allrounders with huge potential. Even Issy Wong is a familiar face, although her inclusion in the squad that will open their campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12 is a significant step in the resurrection of her international career after spending the best part of three years on the fringes.
All that is absolutely fine. To rip up the blueprint and start completely afresh would be too much for Charlotte Edwards one year into the job as England head coach and with a home World Cup on the line. It just means that the old guard, with whom England have stuck through thick and, in recent times, very thin, have what feels like one last chance to perform on the biggest stage.
For the uncapped Corteen-Coleman, who is still only 18 years old, her point of difference could also be a strength, even as part of a four-pronged spin contingent featuring three left-armers in herself, Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith.
"I'd say firstly, being a fresh face," Corteen-Coleman said after Tuesday's World Cup squad announcement when she was asked what she brought that set her apart from her vastly more-experienced counterparts. "I feel like people haven't had that exposure against me. I think it does make a big difference.
"I feel like I'm working on challenging both edges of the bat and I love performing under pressure. I'm sure they do too. I think we all bring something slightly different, but I feel like that works well."
Corteen-Coleman announced herself as a 16-year-old taking four wickets in as many balls for South East Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2024. She has since established herself firmly in the Hundred for Southern Brave, where she was recruited by Edwards, who also handed her a Kent Under-11s cap.
But it was on last month's training camp in Pretoria, where England sent two separate and competing squads of 15 to fight it out for World Cup places in a series of practice matches that Corteen-Coleman stood out, as Edwards told the ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast.
"Lottie was really kind, saying that I'd had a great few months being around the group," Corteen-Coleman said. "I've been working really hard and learned a lot, so I think it's probably a mixture of getting exposure in this environment but also seeing what value I can add as a youngster and a new face into the group.
"It was my first real venture in an England shirt, which was hugely exciting, but I really thought that was my opportunity to stake my claim. Everyone knew how important that was surrounding selection so I knew it was my opportunity.
"I was realistic though, didn't really think there was much expectation and thought it was very unlikely. But as I always do, gave it everything I could and was just hoping that I did enough."
Two other players mentioned by Edwards after that South Africa trip missed the cut, although allrounder Jodi Grewcock was named in the ODI squad to face New Zealand in three matches from May 10, while exciting top-order batter Davina Perrin was overlooked entirely.
That Corteen-Coleman was picked to bolster an already spin-heavy attack ahead of fellow teenager Perrin when England's batters have been under pressure is interesting. And while it could serve to keep Ecclestone on her toes after dominating her field for the past seven years, Corteen-Coleman doesn't necessarily see it that way.
"Growing up, she was my idol, my role model, so to be alongside her this winter has been incredible," Corteen-Coleman said. "I've learned loads from her, from Linz [Smith] as well, had some great conversations. I'm always picking their brains and kind of battering them. They've been really great.
"I understand there's an element of they might think that I'm competing for a spot, but for me, it's not about that at all. I've loved learning from them and I see them as role models and how can I learn from them."
Like Corteen-Coleman, Perrin has emerged as part of a younger generation for whom performing in front of big crowds alongside and against big-name players is the norm. Perrin's rapid-fire century in last year's Hundred Eliminator was a masterclass in poise and confidence.
"I've been very lucky," Corteen-Coleman said. "Women's cricket has kind of been on an uphill trajectory for the last couple of years now, so I've had that kind of exposure in front of crowds for domestic and county cricket, but also in the Hundred.
"I suppose you won't know if you're ready until you're there, but I feel like I've got a great support network around me and I feel like I'm as ready as I can be."
Having gone to Birmingham Phoenix for £50,000 as the first player up, Perrin watched last month's inaugural Women's Hundred auction with Corteen-Coleman from a hotel room in Pretoria, neither able to contain their excitement as the latter's price rose to £105,000, paid by Southern Brave to keep her for a third season.
Gibson stole headlines that day as the highest-earning English player, attracting a massive £190,000 bid from Sunrisers Leeds following a year-long absence from competitive bowling. Her back injury had restricted her to a batting-only role with London Spirit in last year's Hundred and kept her out of the England T20 set-up for the past 18 months.
Kemp has trodden a similar path and made the last of her 30 appearances for England to date in the third T20I against Australia at the start of last year.
The pair will bolster the lower middle order behind the reliable Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt as England embark on their first T20Is since India's tour last July, first against reigning T20 world champions New Zealand, then India again. The World Cup squad will play three T20Is against each before the tournament begins.
Alice Capsey, who struggled against India in 2025 retains her spot in the squad while Sophia Dunkley did enough to hold her place, as did opening partner Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who is has been in excellent domestic one-day form this season too.
Knight, who captained England to victory at Lord's in the 50-over World Cup final in 2017, was delighted to see Gibson and Kemp back in action, not just for the depth they add to the batting line-up, but their bowling and fielding too. Fielding has been a particular focus for improvement after costing England dearly at the last T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2024 and during the 2025 Ashes.
"Allrounders are like gold dust," Knight told reporters at an event marking 50 days to go until the World Cup last week. "I can see a side where both of them do play in the same team.
"They give you different options with the bat and the ball and add that power and depth at the back end of the innings. They're two exciting players and hopefully they remain fit and get the chance to show what they can do this summer."
And it's not the new old faces that will need to step up if England are to lift the trophy on home soil. With Corteen-Coleman snapping at their heels and others waiting in the wings, the seasoned campaigners must surely realise that the future is now.
