By Paul Grunill BBC Sport Online

Many have discovered, however, that talent in itself is not enough to enable them to make the leap from club or county standard sport to international level.

Isa Guha, the newest member of the England women's cricket squad, has both talent and determination, but the latter quality is perhaps only to be expected.

Her Indian-born parents chose a first name for their daughter on the advice of a nurse, a name which they were told means "determined lady".

Talk to 17-year-old Guha, and you can hear a note of barely suppressed excitement in her voice at the thought of bowling to some of the best batsmen in the women's game in the triangular one-day series against New Zealand, the World Cup holders, and India.

"I don't think they'll throw me in straightaway but I'm just happy being in the squad. If I do get any games, it will be a bonus.

Sarah Collyer: Holiday cost her a place

"If I was opening the bowling against New Zealand, I'd be extremely nervous, but I'd be excited as well," she said.

Guha was called up along with Hannah Lloyd when Kathryn Leng and Sarah Collyer were dropped from the original squad for going on holiday without telling the team's coaching staff.

Surprise news

"Last Wednesday, I was ill but went out for dinner with my Mum and my brother. When we came back there was a message from Patsy Lovell (chief selector) saying 'please ring me back.'

"I rang her straight away and she said 'We've had a problem with a couple of players on the team and we'd like to offer you a place.'

"I think she could hear a quiver in my voice because I was shaking on the phone. It was overwhelming," said Guha.

Having taken up the game as an eight-year-old after watching her brother play for a local club, Guha worked her way through junior representative teams and played for England at last summer's European Championships in Reading.

Connor has proved a supportive captain

She rose to the occasion by taking seven wickets in three games, although England were beaten by Ireland in the decider for the title.

Bowling with control, rather than trying to break any speed records, is the basis of her approach.

"When I started off, I used to be able to swing it a bit, but then I had trouble with my back so now my main ball is the out-cutter (leg to off), although I've got the occasional one which goes in."

Guha's elevation to the senior squad may owe something to playing alongside England captain Clare Connor in the recent Super Fours.

But having been surrounded by teachers all day at her Buckinghamshire school, how did Guha feel about being told what to do by another on the cricket field?

"To be in her team was just thrilling because she has so much energy and is such a positive player. She can talk to you in a way that no-one else can and her captaincy, her presence in the team, lifted us all."

Now Guha will be following Connor's advice for England, having obtained permission to break off from her A level studies during the 11-day competition.

And if given the chance, she will not let England down.

Determined by name, determined by nature.