A hard week’s training following a disappointing score paid dividends for Ebony Rainford-Brent as she batted her club side, Port Adelaide, to victory in Australia with an unbeaten 98.

Rainford-Brent made her way out to Adelaide having been asked to be on standby for the England Women’s team who are currently on their tour of Australia and New Zealand. She flew out to Adelaide, courtesy of Surrey County Cricket Club to stay with her journalist friend Jenny Thompson and play her club cricket for local team Port Adelaide.

Here she has spoken to www.surreycricket.com about how she is finding it in Australia and how she is getting on on the pitch.

She had a tough start to her cricket. She commented: “I started the week pretty down after getting out for just seven in my first innings. But my house mate, Dan, and I made a pact to get in the nets every day.”

The hard week’s work including two tough club training sessions and the net work with Dan, seemed to pay off as she went into the next match on the Sunday full of confidence.

“The game quickly came around on Sunday and I was feeling prepared. When I arrived at the ground and had a look around it looked a good wicket and fast outfield.”

Port Adelaide fielded first and immediately put their opposition under pressure by containing them to just 203 – including a direct hit run out from the Surrey star.

“I was batting three and I felt that having had a good look at the conditions, it should be a comfortable chase – but sadly I was wrong”

A little more patient during this knock compared with the one the previous week, Rainford-Brent soon became the mainstay of her side’s innings, particularly when they lost five wickets for just 20 runs.

She was still at the crease when the ninth wicket fell with her side still requiring 49 runs. A remarkable innings saw the tenth wicket stand go past the finish line, with the Surrey star finishing 98 not out.

Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy Director, Gareth Townsend, said: “Ebony is a class player and she has obviously got to grips with the conditions out in Australia very quickly.”

He added: “I have told her that she must pay back the cost of her flight in runs, which I'm certain that she will achieve.”

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