Sophia Dunkley has given England a selection headache after her fine performance in England's 38-run win against Scotland in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Dunkley, England's long-time opener, was dropped for the first two matches of the tournament after a disappointing run of form saw her average 16.33 and post a highest score of just 26 over six warm-up matches, but she returned to the side at No 3 in place of injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
To say she took her chance would be an understatement. After a shock first-ball wicket left England 0-1, the Surrey batter posted a game-high 57 off 37 balls as she propelled her side to an insurmountable total of 200 and an eventual victory.
With Sciver-Brunt set to return for England's last group game against New Zealand - and Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and in-form Alice Capsey rounding out an accomplished top order - Dunkley has left head coach Charlotte Edwards with decisions to make as a crucial period of the competition approaches.
"It was great to get out there," Dunkley said. "I found it quite tricky up front, and I thought they bowled pretty well, but it was great to get out there and get the win for England.
"It's tournament cricket. I think all 15 are so important in a World Cup - you just try and stay as ready as you can on the sidelines and that's what I tried to do.
"Nice to fit in and contribute, but I think the most important thing is that we got the two points and keep the momentum going into the next game."
Former England seamer Tash Farrant on Your Site:
"Being dropped just before a home T20 World Cup - that would be such a tough pill to swallow. So fair play to Sophia Dunkley for the way she responded. I've seen her over the past couple of days - she was trying to stay as positive as she possibly could, and she's always trying to be a positive presence in the group and a good team member.
"She always goes hard in the powerplay. She always causes a bit of chaos, but it was very effective. She finds the boundary with ease.
"When her half-century was brought up [after the game], you could see the emotion - it's been a tough couple of weeks for her, but she's kept herself in a good mindset, so that if she was needed, she could turn up like she did."
England all-rounder Dani Gibson, speaking to Your Site:
"She'll be disappointed that she's not been playing but to step up the way she did just shows her character.
"We're just all so happy for her.
"She took her opportunity and showed just what she's capable of. It was just great to watch from the sidelines."
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through to the final at Lord's on July 5.
