England's Women Cricketers Speak To FemaleFirst

5 months ago 29th May 14:56

Laura Marsh and Ebony Rainford-Brent

These two ladies have propelled women's cricket into the major league; playing for England, winning the World Cup and introducing the sport back into schools again, it's fair to say they've done it all.

FemaleFirst sat down to chat with Laura Marsh and Ebony Rainford-Brent all about their success on their field, what they've got planned for the summer of sport ahead and just why they're championing Old Jamaica Ginger Beer...

Hi Laura!
Hiya, how are you?

I'm great thanks, so how does it feel to be a World Cup Winner?
Oh, it's unbelievable really, you know ahead of the World Cup we set out to be World Champions, but it's all very well saying it, but it's all about going out there and performing, and you know four or five weeks into the World Cup it was a long effort, you know all the girls put everything into it and to come out overall as champions was an fantastic achievement, and it's great to be labelled a World Cup Winner.

You were named in BBC Sport’s ‘6 to watch for 2009.’ how does that feel?
It was great to have that label, but I didn't really expect it to be honest, so I didn't really take that much notice of it, I wasn't a definite member of the side at that point and I needed to get out there and put in some good performances just to cement my place in the team, so yeah- it was nice to have that label, but at the same time it's only a label, you have to go out there and perform.

Have you found more women are playing cricket since you've glamorised the sport?
Erm yeah definitely, there's more and more girls playing the sport these days, and you know some of the England girls are doing 'Chance To Shine' coaching contract, which is going round trying to increase the number of girls playing cricket in schools, and the reaction to us being World Cup winners has been incredible. I was in a primary school the other day and the reaction they gave me when I brought out the World Cup to show them was unbelievable, they were so inspired by it. I think it's really important that we build up on our recent success and I guess act as role models too, because when I was growing up there wasn't too many women's cricketers that were out there that I really knew about, but I think now that we've had that success we can be looked at as role models hopefully, and inspire more young girls to play cricket.

You were the Leading Wicker taker in the 2009 World Cup, are you proud of that achievement?
Yeah definitely. I mean to be part of the World Cup team was a fantastic achievement for me anyway, but to be the leading wicket taker was just a bonus really, it was great to be able to contribute to the team's success and be part of the team.

Both yourself and Ebony are the brand ambassadors for Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, why did you decide to get involved in that?
Well, with women's cricket growing all the time, it's great to be getting the support from Jamaica Ginger Beer, it's great to have their support, so yeah it's fantastic they've jumped on board.

Ok, well thanks for talking to me Laura. Hi Ebony how are you?
I'm not to bad thanks!

So, how does it feel to be a World Cup Winner?
It's fantastic, obviously for me it's a dream come true, just because I've been through so many injuries, I thought I'd never play sport again, so to come all the way back and manage to win a World Cup and still have a few years left in me- I'm pretty happy to be honest.

How did you overcome your back injury?
Yeah, good question. It was a long journey and I had to find the right treatment, but I ended up finding a Chiropractor who worked for me and then after them, I got my scholarship through the England Cricketing Board and it took just under three years to get back from the point where I could hardly run. I was told I wouldn't play sport again, so obviously it was great to overcome that.

You were the first black woman to play for England, what was that like?
It's pretty interesting. The first time that I was told that, I was quite surprised because it was like 2007, and you would have thought there would be more, but at the same time I was very honoured. When I go into schools and stuff and talk to kids they get quite excited when they realise they can kind of identify with me, so I've realised I've become almost a role model to the young black kids, so yeah it's something I treasure and I'm very honoured to be in that position.

Are you excited for the Ashes this year, it's set to be a great summer of sport!
Definitely I'm very excited. I haven't played in an Ashes series yet, I was out in Australia last year but didn't get to play, so I'm really looking forward to playing this year and hopefully we can retain that. We've got a big summer ahead to move forward.

What do you think about Old Trafford being scrapped for the venue list this year?
Erm, well I guess... well, for me personally I've never been up to Old Trafford but I guess it's a bit of a shame, you know. It's a great venue and gets a lot of respect, but it's all part of what happens in cricket.

Why did you decide to become an ambassador for Old Jamaica Ginger Beer?
Good question. Firstly because I love the drink- I've been drinking it since I was a youngster. Secondly, I think it's really important that people get behind female cricketers and they were a brand who wanted to get behind us, and we're having increased success at the moment on all levels, and it's really important for us to find people who are passionate about it and want to get behind us, and they were a brand who did.

FemaleFirst- Laura Terry

Ebony Rainford-Brent and Laura Marsh are proud ambassadors for D&G Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, the first choice refreshment for cricketers this summer.