Courtney Winfield-Hill describes prospect of playing for England as ‘cool’ ahead of cup final

COURTNEY Winfield-Hill may sound like a fair dinkum Aussie but come the World Cup she wants to be a pure Pom.

The Leeds star has declared her availability for wife Lauren’s homeland and is part of the training squad ahead of the tournament that could see her face her birthplace’s Jillaroos.

And she is intent on going all the way by taking the UK citizenship test – even though there is one thing that will never change, Tim-Tam biscuits are superior.

The 35-year-old, who married England cricketer Lauren after meeting while they were Women’s Big Bash team-mates Down Under, said: “Courtney Winfield-Hill, England squad member sounds really cool.

“With the double-barrelled posh last name, it sounds very English, doesn’t it? More than sounding really cool, it is really cool.

“The accent wasn’t mentioned too much at a squad meeting but I need to work on it a bit. I just need to work out which one it’ll be.

“And once it comes up, I’ll absolutely apply for citizenship. When it gets to it, I’ll put my head down in a book and do my history lessons – that would be special.”

Before England and the World Cup, Leeds’ women have the job of winning the Challenge Cup today in their home city’s cathedral of Elland Road against St Helens.

And even though she is a relative newcomer, she knows what stepping out will mean as she added: “I’ve only lived here for five years but I certainly know how special Elland Road is to Leeds.

“I can only imagine what the feeling of playing here is like for our Leeds locals, especially the Leeds United fans.

“Our coach, Lois Forsell, is the main one – she’s always harping on about it. Take my excitement, ten-fold that and that’s probably them.”