'Still be that young girl that wants to run in, bowl quickly and take poles' - Heather Knight's advice to debutant Lauren Filer

Knight handed the Test cap to Filer on June 22 in the one-off Women's Ashes Test.

By CricTracker Staff

Updated - 23 Jun 2023, 19:05 IST

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Heather Knight presented Lauren Filer with her Test cap as the young right-arm pacer made her debut for England in the one-off Women's Ashes Test in Nottingham on June 22. Filer began playing for Weston-super-Mare Cricket Club since the age of 10, and has become the first cricketer from the club to play at the international level.

Filer, who was picked in the playing XI ahead of Issy Wong, had form on her side as she picked eight wickets in four matches in this year's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. The 22-year-old bowled rapidly and clocked 123kph at one point during the opening day's play. England captain Heather Knight, who has seen Filer closely during her time with Western Storm, was all praise for the youngster.

“Lauren, as one West County girl to another, it’s a real honour to be able to give you your first (England) cap. I think it’s been a pleasure for me to dip in and out of Storm, but also see how much you have developed so fast, and also hear about how quickly you’ve developed," Knight told England Cricket in a video released on social media.

"And I think Trevor (Griffin), Luffy (Sophie Luff) all the girls down there (are) so proud of you and I think it might come to a few people as a shock. But I think that’s testament to how much you have developed, how quickly you have done that, and how hard you have worked at your game. So, congratulations," she added.

Knight also offered some valuable advice to the pacer, asking her to continue doing what she has done to get to the national team. 

“And what I would say, a bit of advice, still be that young girl that wants to run in, bowl quickly and take poles. Obviously, your family is here today. (I am) delighted for them to be here. I think this cap symbolises all the hard work you have put in but the sacrifices that these guys have made and all the people that have been here on your journey to get to this place. But I also would say this is the start of your journey as well, start of your journey in an England cap and just be that little girl that tears in, bowls quick and tires to take poles. Good luck," she said.

Filer bowled 14 overs on Day 1 and picked up the crucial wickets of opener Beth Mooney (33) and Ellyse Perry (99). Meanwhile, be it Australia's men's team or the women's team, their batting prowess, unlike other teams, does not end at No. 7 or 8. The second day of the Test has been a proof of just that. Batting at No. 8, 21-year-old Annabel Sutherland notched up her maiden ton, forming vital partnerships with Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King and Kim Garth to take Australia past 450.

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