By Niharika Raina New Delhi, Sep 9 : The English cricket season of 2022 was an unforgettable experience for young pacer Issy Wong.She was the first player to debut in all three formats of the game in the all-format series against South Africa at home.
It was in her debut Test match in Taunton where Issy sparkled the most with three wickets and also casting Laura Wolvaardt, one of the top batters in the cricket circuit that stood out the most.
Speedy bowling is a constant stumbling block in Issy’s world, something that she acknowledges is in her character.
The nickname of ‘Human Storm’ was given to her mother for running at 100 miles per hour.Issy likes to bowl faster due to the huge amount of hard work that goes into it .She has solved the rubik’s cube in only 33 seconds.
In a live chat hosted by the Sony Sports Network, IANS got in touch with Issy who is a member of England’s T20I team for the upcoming three-match series with India in which she talked about everything fast bowling, her Test debut, admiring the legendary fast bowler Katherine Brunt, prospect of the possibility of a World Test Championship in women’s cricket, and more.
Excerpts of the interaction:
Q: Let’s begin with your Test debut in Taunton.What was the experience of making your debut in the world stage of Test cricket?
A I thought it was sort of amazing.I didn’t think I would be seeing it to happen so quickly.I suppose the way things went out was quite unique for me.This was my first experience of cricket on the international stage.This is something that will be with me for an extended period of time.
This was a test game and we don’t have the opportunity to play many Test matches.So, I am thinking about how important it was to me and I hope to get the chance to wear the whites in the near future.
Do you think the quality of international cricket shocked you? How do you feel you’ve been doing up to this point?
A: I was prepared for this competition on the experience of playing in franchise competitions such as The Hundred, WBBL.A majority of the players in this competition I have played against them before.
I guess it sort of helped, and the appeal of tournaments like that is that you can compete against the best players without having to play international cricket.
It makes everyone better in an effective way.Naturally, it’s a leap up in terms of international cricket.However, if it wasn’t an improvement and it wasn’t, then it wouldn’t be international cricket.
I believed that I had the ability to be able to bring in confidence gained from previous tournaments into it.
Q What is the most satisfying pleasure to you in fast bowling?
A: It’s a lot of work isn’t it? But that second following a wicket , or taking an op when you’ve been hit for an extra boundary, that’s pretty amazing.Particularly with bowling because you’re very much of ready for it.You just bowl, bowl and repeat and then one day you’ll bowl 10 overs for nothing.Then, you receive the bonus at the end of it, and that’s quite rewarding, I think.
Q How much of an exhilarating feeling is it to be aware that a batter at the crease might be scared of the speed you’d be bowling?
A: I suppose you’d like to think this is a big part of it isn’t it? All of it sort of influences the things one can accomplish.If you increase your skill level it makes bowling a bit more enjoyable, but the best part is that it’s all fun.I am in love with the whole of the nature of bowling and faster speed and everything else that is associated with it.
Q: What is the extent of the importance is stamina for fast bowlers to get speed?
A Stamina is very important and you’ve have to be able repeat it.It’s actually (it’s crucial for) having the ability to sort of guess the speedy ones.There’s a lot of truth to the statement that you could throw 10 bowls and it all will be exactly the same, at the same pace and level.
However, I’d also like to recover well too.You may not have a lengthy duration, but you may be bowling three to four short spells and you will be in a position to ensure in the shorter spells that you can actually create what you need to, and if it gives an extra bit of motivation, then go for it.
Q: The majority of the discussion has been about the 80mph limit, which is widely predicted to break.Do you put yourself under any kind of pressure on this or do you go with the flow?
A I’d follow with the flow.I do not think about it in any way.Everyone assumes that I worry about it, but that’s not the situation.It’s bound occur at some point, with just the way the game is going.There are very few bowlers who can throw rockets in the world.Shabnim Ismail bowled extremely quickly when she was here.
Perhaps it was her, but we’ll find out.However, I remain true to my original assertion Is it possible? Absolutely.
Q: Katherine Brunt has been one of the people you’ve adored throughout your childhood.This year, she handed you your England Cap for Tests.
How did you get the Test cap from an athlete who is also your favorite.
A: I watched Katherine immediately I got into cricket.She was in the stadium and is an amazing athlete , as well as an incredible ambassador of the sport for what she’s achieved in this long time.She’s always in the very top of her game and, in my opinion is on the top of the world of cricket with her work.
Her name is definitely one I look at in regards of not only the ability but in how she moves around the game, too.I don’t think it could get more impressive than it was.It was pleasant and an emotional experience for us both of us.It was really enjoyable to share the moment with each other.The first time you have a chance to get one only once, and it was really great to know she had the ability and provide the cap.
Q: With Brunt not playing in T20Is in India and Anya Shrubsole retiring from international cricket and opening up spots for young pacers such as the ones you are, Freya Kemp, Lauren Bell and Emily Arlott.In the context of this, is it the ideal time for a girl of the ages of 14 to become a fast-bowler in England?
A: I believe that’s the case.It’s thrilling, isn’t it? We’re a youthful group that has spent quite a lot of time with each other.Me as well as Kempy (Freya Kemp) were clearly with each other in the Vipers and Brave, then I attended Phoenix and Sparks with Emmy (Emily Arlott).I can say for myself that we were able to train each day and train as a team in the gym.
We’re always eying one another about (many) types of things and things that is very lovely.With these relationships it’s really fun to be part of the group.
I am on the journey of beginning in international cricket.Me as well as Belly (Lauren Bell) debuted in Tests and ODIs in the same year and have been friends for a long time.
Being able to share this experience was very special.
Q What time did it take you to put the disappointment of not winning an opportunity to win a medal in Birmingham Commonwealth Games behind you?
A: We had a fairly quick turnaround.We were obviously given four to five days off.For me, it was all about getting back to spend time with the family.I have a cat, too and spent a amount of time with her.It was just a matter of getting the thought out of mind for a while and then there was an alteration of setting with Phoenix girls that were all fresh because they had a little small amount of time off from the field.
It was refreshing to step in with an entirely distinct group of girls with coaches and the same environment in Edgbaston.However, it was a different format, and I felt like Commonwealth was a lengthy way away.
Q What are the best ways to improve in your game in the coming game against India?
A: I have to be more consistent at the top.If I can find my length, I’ll be there.It’s going to be a difficult task for all of young seamers to be without Katherine there.She’s been an enormous source of information for us, regardless of whether it’s about saying ‘I think that I ought to bowl this but I’m not certain of the right thing to do’.She would then state”this is what you must perform and this is the way to go about working’.I suppose this is our next move to figure it out for ourselves.It will be thrilling to get there.
Q: The sport of men’s cricket is currently hosting an World Test Championship.Do you think you will see the possibility of a World Test Championship happening in the near future for women’s cricket?
A: I believe that somewhere in the future it will be great.We do love playing Test cricket.For us, it’s an unrealized dream.It’s a shame we only are only able to do it every six or 12 months.So, I would like to see it happen.In order for this to be possible, there needs to be more red-ball cricket as taking part in test matches is fantastic.
My first bowl with an Dukes ball was just a week prior to my debut in the Test.I hope it goes the same way, as we all are all awestruck by playing Test cricket.
If we play some red-ball matches and we are able to sort of develop those abilities and create a competition for the spots in this team, as everyone would like to play in.
Q What happens in February next year there will be a the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.Is getting into the England team for the same event an option?
A: Definitely.Everyone is eager to represent their nation in every one of the games, like the World Cups, the Commonwealth Games that we just witnessed are the ones you see and think , ‘let’s put the effort in and work towards this’.
The England match between England and India Women’s match will air on the Sony Sports Network’s Ten 1 and Ten 1 HD channels starting on September 10.
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