Holly Colvin

Slow left-armer Holly Colvin turned up to help out at nets one day - and was drafted into the England side for the first Ashes Tests against Australia at Hove in August 2005 aged 15. She took three wickets in that drawn match, and was even on a hat-trick at one stage. Colvin was included on the back of some impressive performances, being part of the Sussex side which won the 2005 County Championship. She also played first-team cricket in the boys XI at Brighton College (as did Clare Connor, who went on to captain England). At 15 years 336 days, she became the youngest person to play a Test for England. Colvin took 3 for 42 in Australia's second innings in the Bowral Test that England went on to win to retain the Ashes in 2007-08.

She was particularly successful in the 2008 season taking 18 wickets from eight home ODIs at an impressive average of 8.94. Her World Cup 2009 performance was consistent not impressive, with nine wickets at 18 from seven games.

No slouch academically either; she got straight A*s at GCSE in 2006 and capped off a good year by winning The Daily Telegraph Female Pupil of the Year award.
Martin Williamson December 2006