England bowler Issy Wong likes delving into her box of tricks – off the field when she completes Rubik’s Cubes in next to no time and on it as she tries to get batters out.
But the seamer was rewarded for simplicity on Thursday as a five-wicket haul – her first in international cricket – helped her side wrap up an one-day international series win over Ireland.
Prioritising the wobble-seam delivery that angled in to the right handers, Wong bowled opposition captain Gaby Lewis through the gate for her first strike of the day.
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Wong, as well as Sky Sports pundits Tash Farrant and Ravi Bopara, reflect on the bowler’s player-of-the-match display in Derby
Her relentless targeting of the stumps also saw her clean up Leah Paul off an inside edge, while her three other victims, including top-scorer Amy Hunter, were caught.
Wong had struggled for accuracy during England’s victory in the series opener at Leicester on Tuesday, conceding four wides in a row as she curled balls too far past off stump.
She was much improved in Derby, and her display enthused Sky Sports Cricket expert Tash Farrant.
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The best of the action from Derby as England raced to a target of 166 in just 23 overs to clinch a series win over Ireland with a game to spare
“She hit the same area every single time and kept things simple,” Farrant said of Wong after England’s six-wicket victory followed the same result two days earlier.
“Wong was struggling so much with consistency two or so years ago but the reason she got a five-fer here was the consistency. She pretty much hit that bail-trimming length every delivery.
“Sometimes with Wong, I think she has all the skills and wants to show them all. Here, she just bowled those wobble balls angling in towards the stumps.”
Could Wong form ‘formidable’ new-ball pairing with Bell?
With premier seamer Lauren Bell rested for this series, Wong has played her first ODIs since the tour of Ireland in 2024, taking her to six matches in the format in total.
It is about doing what the team needs from me. At the moment, I feel like that is hitting the stumps as much as possible. I am using my wobble seam to help me do that.
England seam bowler Issy Wong
She first featured in 50-over cricket for her country back in 2022 but has never been able to grab a regular place, with previous run-up issues contributing to that. Now, though, she has a big opportunity.
Farrant added: “England are looking for someone who can back-up Bell with the new ball and if Wong can be that consistent, they could be a formidable pair going forward.”
Farrant’s fellow Sky Sports pundit Ravi Bopara does not want Wong to completely jettison the out-swinger, saying having that delivery in her armoury can help her “progress her game to the next level”, but her method worked a treat against Ireland.
Wong (right) was playing just her sixth one-day international for England
Wong told reporters: “Even in the last three months, I feel like I’ve come on a lot. It feels like I’ve worked quite hard and I guess when you work hard good things happen.
[More responsibility] brings the best out of me. Me and Lauren Filer have got to pick the balls whereas Bell usually does that.”
Wong had also spoken when collecting her player-of-the-match award about how chats with staff, including media manager Dean Wilson, had helped her “mindset”.
Whoever told her to focus on the wobble seam played a blinder.
Watch the third ODI between England and Ireland, from Worcester, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix from 10am on Sunday (10.30am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream contract-free with NOW.
England vs Ireland – ODI series results and schedule
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