England vs New Zealand: Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Charlie Dean give reasons for optimism despite familiar failings

These words showed maturity as well as the young man’s high standards.

Corteen-Coleman perched on the balcony next to England’s coaches for much of his side’s chase. He believed his work for the day was done, but his most important moment was yet to come.

Ten runs were still needed when he emerged as the final batsman to join Dean.

Most importantly, he helped Dean run a double and with some solid defence, he improved on his previous high score not on The Hundred to remain unbeaten in three and secure the win.

“I’m glad I looked calm because I definitely wasn’t,” he said.

“The whole point for me was to keep it really simple.”

Of course, Corteen-Coleman did not complete the victory alone.

At center was Dean, who admitted to exposing his teammate more than he intended by taking singles early but otherwise played it off well.

Much has been made of Dean’s ability to maintain his nerve in chases. There have been some successes but also failures – notably in the Mankad ODI at Lord’s in 2022 and the second ODI of the Women’s Ashes last year.

Dean, this time serving as England captain for the first time, dragged his side over the line.

If England’s training camp with the army last week was supposed to produce leaders, it was Dean’s Passing Out Parade.

“I worked to keep that calm and be ready in any situation, but it mostly came from Deano,” Corteen-Coleman added.

“If I had gone out and he had panicked, I would have been under the pump.”

Corteen-Coleman emerged with coach Charlotte Edwards’ words ringing in her ears. He told her to support her strengths and keep her mind open.

Meanwhile, he was supported by Dean.

“It came out very clearly,” Dean said.

“And I said, ‘Yorkers have done well for them, so they’ll probably try to get under your bat.’

“We decided that moving forward was the best option.

“Tilly is really proactive in thinking. She’s got a good cricket brain.”