Debutant Issy Wong is on song as England build momentum in their rain-sodden Test against South Africa… as she reflects on living the dream by taking two key wickets but admits ‘it hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest’
- Issy Wong took two crucial wickets to leave England on top against South Africa
- She has said she was living her dream after pulling on the shirt for the first time
- Wong was added to the squad as a late replacement and has starred on debut
Issy Wong said she is living the dream after taking two crucial wickets on debut as England gained momentum on a rain-affected day three at Taunton.
The 20-year-old struck twice in the final half-hour of play as South Africa finished on 55 for three, needing another 78 runs on the final day to make England bat again.
‘It’s something that I’ve been dreaming of since I started playing cricket aged five, so to be able to live that dream has been really special this week,’ said Wong.
England debutant Issy Wong has reflected on living out her dream against South Africa
When asked about her Test call-up, she revealed: ‘My mum had a little cry. It was something I wasn’t expecting at all. It hasn’t sunk in yet.’
Having only taken one wicket in South Africa’s first innings, Wong looked the most dangerous of the England bowlers on a day when the sides were twice forced off for rain, dismissing Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall.
‘It was probably something I wasn’t expecting at all. It hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest but I’m sure in the next couple of weeks or so I can put my feet up for a couple of days then it will begin to sink in a little bit.’
Wong (left) took two key wickets with England able to build momentum in the Test match
Having only taken one wicket in South Africa’s first innings, Wong looked the most dangerous of the England bowlers under the lights on day three, but she does not want to overthink her performance.
‘It’s been wild to be honest. We’ve had a bit of everything, we had some nice weather, we had some rain, we had some wickets and some runs it’s probably had everything so far,’ Wong said.
‘But I’m really enjoying it, probably didn’t think it was going to happen until a couple of days ago so just trying to – I guess not think too much about it and just enjoy it for this one, but equally trying to impact the game as much as I can.’
Speaking afterwards, she said she has wanted to play for her country since the age of five
South Africa batter Lara Goodall admitted it was challenging to come on and off during the day, with two different stoppages due to the weather.
‘I think it’s definitely one of the most challenging things (coming on and off with rain),’ she said.
‘It’s not easy out there especially with the conditions and stuff, but our coaches said the entire time when we were in the changing room, just switch off, have a cup of tea, play some cards and just try and not think about cricket.
‘Then when we know when we are going to start again and you start padding up you just get in the zone so I think that’s what myself and Laura (Wolvaardt) tried to do it’s just a pity that we got out at the end.’