A sequel: Bend it like Botham

A 17-year-old girl of Indian origin is all set to make her debut for England during the triangular women8217;s one-day cricket series with India and New Zealand, prompting comparisons with 8216;Jas8217;, the lead character in popular feature film 8216;Bend it like Beckham8217;. Isa Guha, a second-generation British national whose father Barun Guha migrated from Calcutta in 1965, is a medium-pacer and likely to join the England squad for the triseries starting on July 10.

A great admirer of the current Indian team and a fan of Sachin Tendulkar, Isa, however, wants to play only for one team 8211; England.

8220;I like Tendulkar and I think the Indian batsmen are stylish but I support England and I have always wanted to play for England,8221; High Wycombe-born Isa was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph today. Isa has come a long way from the back garden games she played with her brother, Kaushik, who introduced her to colt cricket at the local club when she was eight. Isa progressed through several boys8217; sides before playing for the Thames Valley women8217;s teams, for Reading Ridgeway in the premier division and the England under-19s. Despite being barely five feet, she worked up sufficient pace and accuracy to get the England call-up. Isa has to combine cricket with studying for A-levels in chemistry, human biology and maths at High Wycombe Grammar School.