Katherine Brunt may be from the other side of the Pennines, but she has lots in common with Andrew Flintoff. Both are strapping strike bowlers whose allround contributions helped England regain the Ashes in 2005. But both also had problems with their cricket through being overweight - and in Brunt's case she gave up at representational level for two years. Yet both bounced back and are mightily glad they did - as are their fans - because they each became an Ashes hero in England's giddy summer of 2005.

A skiddy fast-medium bowler, Brunt played for Yorkshire at Under-15 and Under-17 level, but took a break from county cricket at the age of 17 because she was overweight and not really enjoying the game.

But two years later - spurred on by her sister's dramatic weightloss - Brunt was back, leaner and meaner than ever. She moved up from Yorkshire to Super 4s to England as fast as her weight had dropped off - at lightning pace - and both transformations were down to sheer grit and application.

So dramatic was her weightloss after a vigorous dieting and exercise regime that some of her new England colleagues didn't recognise her when, aged 19, she turned up for the drawn Test against New Zealand in 2004.

A trip to South Africa for the 2005 World Cup followed, although it ended in disappointment for second-ranked England who were knocked out at the semi-final stage by the eventual winners Australia. But Brunt exacted revenge four months later, taking 14 wickets in the two Tests and scoring her first Test fifty besides as England romped to their first Ashes series win in 42 years.

A few months later she toured the subcontinent when England visited Sri Lanka and India at the end of 2005, with mixed success. Brunt's own tour ended early when she broke a finger and had to fly home.

She bounced back in 2006 against India, before breaking down again, this time with a back injury. Her hard work, grit and determination hasn't gone unnoticed: she was shortlisted for the ICC Women's Player of the Year Award which eventually was given to Karen Rolton. She missed the 2007-08 Ashes, after back surgery required a 12-week recovery period, and had an ordinary return against New Zealand at home. But her form improved when South Africa visited; she picked up her best figures of 5 for 25 at Lord's and took three more soon after against India in Taunton.

Picked in the 50-over World Cup squad, she took six wickets from five games, and was retained for the World Twenty20 as well.

Cricket is in her blood - she first played the game through joining in the nets with her brother at the family's club, Barnsley, where her dad played for the second XI - and there will be more, much more, to come.
Jenny Thompson May 2009