The Evening Telegraph caught up with the triumphant England women's cricket captain at Ramsey Cricket Club – where it all began.

As Charlotte stepped on the cricket pitch to launch the search for BBC Sport's Unsung Hero 2009 for the east, she recalled the moments when she first swung a bat.

Charlotte (29), who grew up in Pidley, said: "For as long as I can remember my dad and brother always played cricket at Ramsey and I was always taken along.

"My mum would be making the teas so I had the choice of either helping her or getting on the pitch with the men and so I chose the latter.

"I was only about five when I started going down there but before I knew it I was playing on the boys' and then the men's teams before I was spotted by the England team at the age of 12.

"It is nice to come back and realise where I started. It is unbelievable to think what I have achieved, especially in this past year."

Charlotte said this year had been her best yet receiving an MBE and winning the World Twenty20 title.

She added: "Because I played cricket from such an early age I didn't think of doing anything else for a career.

"Even the men started to like me when I began playing for England and their parents started saying 'my son used to play cricket with Charlotte' rather than 'that Charlotte girl shouldn't be on the pitch, it is for boys only'.

"Cricket is now one of the fastest growing women's sports with a 49 per cent increase in interest this year. I now hope that the success of the England team will filter down through generations to come."

Charlotte is encouraging people to nominate their unsung heros for BBC Sport's Unsung Hero Award which recognises and rewards outstanding contributions by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport.

She said: "Ramsey was where I was given my opportunity. This was where all the scorers, umpires, tea ladies, coaches and everyone else enabled me to achieve my dream and it is so important that they are given the recognition they deserve."