Sophia Dunkley did it with a smile on her face

NICK FRIEND AT BRISTOL: On Test debut, Dunkley batted like she’d been playing the longest format for years

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Ahead of the first day at Bristol, Georgia Elwiss wore the widest grin in England’s huddle, sparkling with pride as she handed a maiden Test cap to Sophia Dunkley, her great mate.

“I’ve honestly never known anyone love cricket as much as you do,” she laughed. “You turn up every day with the energy, drive and determination to be better. You make others around you better.

“For someone so young, the standards you set yourself are already so high, and you make sure that those around you are training with the same standards too.”

These presentations – by nature, private affairs – have become standard fare for team media officers to upload online for public consumption: they are, without exception, touching moments delivered by peers who understand their emotional significance – the pre-match nerves, the giddy excitement, the sense that everything in the past has led to this point. You would be a cold-hearted individual not to feel it too.

“Play with that Dunky smile we all love,” added Elwiss.

That line resonated most. Debuts are always special – they last forever as tangible evidence of a goal reached and a lifelong dream achieved. But the reaction of her teammates to Elwiss’ speech was a fine measure of the esteem in which Dunkley is held, the respect she has earned and the popularity she carries with her, having long-since been touted for exactly this.

Some lovely speeches here to mark Sophia Dunkley's Test debut 👇#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/SmPsf1r8Ie

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 17, 2021

In the process, she became the first black woman to represent England in the longest format and, in recent times, has been a force knocking too hard at the door to be ignored.

In the words of Heather Knight on Wednesday (June 17) evening, Dunkley had simply made it “impossible for us to leave her out”.

Her maiden effort as a Test cricketer comprised three separate mini-innings: a spirited defence to minimise the damage caused by a middle-order collapse, the steady accumulation that followed, before a final assault once she had passed fifty, with Anya Shrubsole for company.

When England declared 26 runs short of a Test hundred, it was difficult not to feel conflicted: with overs likely to be lost during the second half of the match to an ever-changing weather forecast, the decision came at the right time. But, by God, what a moment it would have been if she could have raced to three figures.

Dunkley, though, is humility personified; she never removed her helmet as she strolled from the field, instead acknowledging the assembled crowd as she crossed the boundary with composure beyond her years. She was unbeaten, with her stock rising by the minute as the 10th woman to make a half-century on Test debut.

She was met on the stairs up to the balcony by each of her teammates, bumping fists and receiving their congratulations. From Lisa Keightley, a pat on the head – the kind that comes from a coach chuffed for her young charge.

^{Sophia Dunkley became the first black women to play Test cricket for England in Bristol}

Judging players in a game like this is a difficult challenge, but Dunkley looked like she belonged – a remarkable achievement in itself, given how rarely even the most experienced heads are afforded Test opportunities. The shot of the match came off her bat too: a punch through mid-on that highlighted her exceptional balance and timing. She held the pose as well – another sure-fire sign of her quiet confidence growing with each passing moment.

Dunkley has played for England before – in 15 T20Is spread across three years: in those, though, she has batted just seven times and bowled only 24 balls. It felt, therefore, like the start of something: her first international appearance as the holder of a central contract – a well-earned reward for plenty of hard yards announced last week.

Ebony Rainford-Brent, whose ACE Programme counts Dunkley as an ambassador, was present at the ground as part of Sky Sports’ coverage though unable to join in with the pre-game ceremony. Instead, she composed a message for Elwiss to read out ahead of her tribute.

“We all know how tough elite sport can be, so keeping that smile and enjoyment that got you here is what it’s about: enjoying the challenge with your mates,” she wrote, admitting that remaining neutral from her commentary position would prove a challenge.

“You are such an amazing role model for so many boys and girls around the country, and the ACE family are extremely proud and thank you for being such an amazing ambassador for the next generation,” added Rainford-Brent. It takes one to know one. 

And, all the while, with Elwiss’ words ringing in her ears, that broad smile never left her face.