Katherine Bean-Rosario made her debut in domestic T20 cricket a memorable one when taking the wicket of former Somerset Cup Match captain Jordan DeSilva on Sunday.

Bean-Rosario took to the field at St David’s as Flatts played their opening match of the season against Southampton Rangers and was tossed the ball unexpectedly by captain Kijuan Franks midway through the Rangers innings.

While she struggled with her line as she bowled for the first time in a match since last summer, conceding 32 runs in three overs, the highlight was capturing the prized scalp of DeSilva, who was caught by Keegan Jones after flicking to midwicket.

“I used to play for Somerset and I’ve always looked up to Jordan since I started playing cricket, so it felt really great to get him out,” Bean-Rosario said. “I hope he’s not too upset.”

She added: “I took the ball, tried to put aside my fear and anxiousness, and just bowled. I had a problem with overswinging the ball, so I got a few tips and I basically switched up my form a little.

“I hadn’t bowled for a while, so I just needed a reminder over my form from my captain and my coach. They knew I was nervous, so they told me just to be calm and really helped me through the process, reminding me that I can do it. I fixed up my form and the next ball I was able to bowl Jordan out.”

Playing in her first game against seasoned male cricketers, Bean Rosario admits to feeling overawed in the lead-up to the game but she was welcomed by team-mates and opponents alike.

“I’ve never played in the men’s leagues in Bermuda and we were a bit short of players, so I knew I was going to make it on the field, but I never expected to be bowling,” she said.

“Being a girl out there was intimidating, a bit scary and nerve-racking, but I attempted to put all of that aside. I hadn’t bowled in training, but I felt as though I had to take this opportunity, try not to be scared and just do what I do, which is to try my best.

“All the men that were playing treated me nicely and like a regular part of the team, so it felt really good to not feel different. I was able to bowl what I thought were expensive overs, but I did my best. I haven’t played cricket since last summer, as I’ve been in school for football and it’s definitely a learning curve ... I’m still learning. I have a lot of practising to do and hopefully I should be better in the upcoming games for our team.”

The young sports star, who recently picked up a prize at the 43rd Government Sports Awards, is also hoping that her exploits on Bermuda’s cricket pitches this summer will encourage other girls to get into the sport.

Alongside Brianna Ray, who also featured for Flatts in the domestic leagues last year, Bean-Rosario will be taking part in the CRIIO Women’s Cricket Festival, which takes place at the National Sports Centre between 6pm and 9pm on Wednesday night.

The 19-year old had a fantastic experience playing for Leeward Islands in the Rising Stars tournament in the Caribbean last year and she feels the festival, organised by the Bermuda Cricket Board, could prove beneficial for young women.

“This is a really good opportunity for women and girls,” Bean-Rosario said.

“In Bermuda there is a lot of men’s cricket, and there are women that can play the game but not many opportunities. This is our chance to really show that women are capable of playing the sport and that we deserve to be seen as much as the men.

“There is a pathway to competing overseas and the BCB is going to try to create opportunities for girls, but first we need the girls to really show up and want to play.

“A lot of girls think cricket is a men’s sport, but it’s really not — you just have to show yourself, put in the work to be seen and you will be given opportunities like I was.

“Never in a million years did I think I would ever be part of a great cricket tournament in the West Indies, but I was. It was a great opportunity and I would encourage a lot of girls to come out on Wednesday night so that they can take some similar opportunities.”