Sport
Interview
Women In Sport: Ebony Rainford-Brent on inspiration
We spoke to the former England cricketer about inspiring a new generation to take up the sport.
Across 2019 we will be speaking to women who have achieved success in their chosen field, sharing their stories on how and why they got to where they are, what it means to them to be a female role model, plus advice for any girls or women who dream of emulating them.
Growing up in the shadow of The Oval, the South London home of Surrey Cricket Club, Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent is one of Britain’s most successful and respected cricketers.
Her journey to success was not without its challenges. Rainford-Brent’s future career was put in serious doubt when at aged just 19, a severe back injury left her unable to play competitively for three years.
Despite many predicting otherwise, the former athlete was able to overcome her injury, becoming part of an England team that in 2009 won an historic three trophies, including the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, the Women’s Ashes and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, beating a talented New Zealand team by four wickets in the final held at the North Sydney Oval in Australia.
After retiring from the sport, Rainford-Brent has gone on to become a pundit for the BBC’s flagship radio programme Test Match Special and serves as the director of women’s cricket at her hometown club of Surrey.
With the ICC Cricket World Cup kicking off on home soil this month, the cricketer will be summarising the action for the nation and will be hoping that a new generation of youngsters is inspired enough to give the sport a try.
Above, as part of the Ticketmaster Women in Sport series, Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent talks about her journey into cricket at a young age, being part of a hugely successful England team and her passion for inspiring young girls to take up the sport.
Fans can go and cheer on Rainford-Brent’s Surrey Stars team at their home in Guildford. Tickets are just £5 for adults and £1 for kids.
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For more from the world of sport, visit the Sports Guide at Ticketmaster.co.uk.
