When uncapped English quick Issy Wong - one of the countries most exciting up-and-coming fast bowlers - received a call to join the Sydney Thunder for WBBL07, it was an easy decision to cancel a planned holiday to Sicily.
"It was a no-brainer," the England national team training squad member said of cancelling her vacation. "When you get such an opportunity you can't say 'no' to it.
"This really is a great opportunity for me. I'm still very young, and to have this sort of exposure, and in such a respected league as the WBBL, is super-exciting. I'm grateful to Sydney Thunder for putting their faith in me and giving me this opportunity."
The 19-year-old replaces pace ace Shabnim Ismail for the Thunder's title defence this summer. Ismail injured her knee during South Africa's tour of the West Indies.
Wong and Indian superstars Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma add to an already strong local Thunder squad headlined by Rachael Haynes, Hannah Darlington and Sammy-Jo Johnson.
Coach Trevor Griffin said Issy is a "quick bowler who wants to bowl fast.".
"What I like about her is apart from the fact she wants to bowl fast; she always wants to make an impact on the game," he said.
"That means she wants the ball, she can bowl at the different phases of the game, whether that's the power play, the middle phase, or at the death. She can also come into bat and hit a long ball if that's needed as well."
Wong described Griffin as a "proper coach".
"You've just got to look at his record to see he is one of the best in the business," she said. "He's obviously a winner, he's won a Super League [in England] with Western Storm, and he won the WBBL with Sydney Thunder... I'm really looking forward to working with him and picking his brain."
So what can the Thunder Nation expect from Wong who was a member of the England squad that toured New Zealand last summer?
"I play an exciting brand of cricket, I'm always looking to take the positive option," she said.
"I play with passion; I wear my heart on my sleeve when I'm out on the pitch.
"I've found I always play at my best when I'm enjoying my cricket, so I always try to have a smile on my face. I try to enjoy those pressure moments, because it is a privilege to be playing in those situations.
"It's something I look to enjoy. I always look to take the positive option, and to be brave. Sometimes it just doesn't come off. However, I think if I'm positive in my decision it comes down to execution.
"I don't like to sit in the change rooms afterwards and think, 'I wish I tried this', or 'I wish I'd gone for that'. I don't like to leave anything out there."
