DANIELLE Wyatt has described her match-winning debut for England as one of the proudest moments of her career.

The 18-year-old, from the Westlands, Newcastle, scored an unbeaten 28 off 25 balls to steer her country to victory in yesterday's one-day international against India in Mumbai.

A superb day for the Whitmore and Staffordshire player was completed when she was named in the provisional 20-strong England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 championships in the West Indies in May.

That will be whittled down to 14 players by March 19, but Wyatt's chances of making the cut can only have been improved by her efforts in Mumbai.

England looked in trouble at 133-5, chasing 207 to win, when Wyatt came to the crease.

But she showed no sign of inexperience or nerves as she steadied the innings and sent the game to a dramatic conclusion.

England required one to win when she secured victory with a four off the penultimate ball.

Off-spinning all-rounder Wyatt had been England's substitute fielder for the previous four one-day matches of the tour, but was handed her debut as England rested skipper Charlotte Edwards.

She conceded 24 runs in four overs, before starring with the bat to ensure India had to settle for a 3-2 series win.

The former pupil of St Peter's High School, Penkhull, said: "I feel very proud. I can't stop smiling and, when I hit the winning runs, I jumped for joy.

"It was difficult because we were five wickets down and needed to score at six an over.

"They were difficult conditions because it was 35C (95F), so we had to take on plenty of fluids, but I didn't feel tired when I was batting.

"Although it was my debut, I didn't feel much pressure.

"I just went out there thinking that I could do it.

"For the winning runs, all the field was in for the left-arm spinner.

"I thought I would try to hit the ball over mid-wicket, but I edged it and it flew behind the keeper – I didn't mind that though."

Wyatt won selection for the 15-strong touring squad after impressing for the England Academy side last season.

Her performances have also earned her a two-year young cricketer's contract with the MCC at Lord's.

Before yesterday's game, her only taste of action in India had come as a substitute fielder for 42 overs in England's victory in the second one-dayer in Bangalore.

But her efforts on her debut will improve her chances of being selected for the three Twenty20 internationals against India, which begin on Friday.

Wyatt said: "I have proved to everyone that I can bat in pressure situations, and scored at a quick rate.

"I am just glad I took my opportunity.

"I have been in that sort of situation in games before, but this is a different feeling.

"To hit the winning runs for my country is a dream come true."