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<title>
Ebony Rainford-Brent
 - 
Ebony Rainford-Brent
</title>
<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/</link>
<description>Hi I&apos;m Ebony, welcome to my blog. I play cricket for Surrey Women and England, and have represented my country at the ICC Women&apos;s Cricket World Cup, the Women&apos;s World Twenty20 and the Ashes. All of which we won. I&apos;m here to give you an insight in to playing women&apos;s cricket at the top level. Here are some tips on taking part and our house rules.</description>
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<copyright>Copyright 2010</copyright>
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<item>
	<title>Left starstruck by Sachin</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>We've been back from home from India for a few days now - it's always nice after a tour to have a cup of tea and sit with your feet up on your sofa.</p>

<p>I might have to do quite a bit of that because I picked up an ankle injury stepping on a ball in training before we left for India. It hasn't settled, so I'm going to be wearing a special walking boot for two to three weeks - I'm not sure it will look good with skinny jeans!</p>

<p>That's the nature of sport, and it will now be in the selectors' hands as to whether I'm picked for the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8141772.stm">ICC World Twenty20</a>. </p>]]><![CDATA[<p>Looking back, it was great when we managed to hold on in the final game and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8555005.stm">win the T20 series 2-1</a>. It was very important for us to come back after losing the one-day series and we showed great character and strength as a team.</p>

<p>I think both sides have players to look out for in the future. </p>

<p>For India, I think <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/372317.html">Harman Kaur</a> bats with a lot of freedom. I watched her play against Australia at the World Cup last year and thought then that she was one to keep an eye on and the 84 she scored against us in the final ODI showed she is capable of pacing an aggressive innings.</p>

<p>I also think <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/263980.html">Gouher Sultana</a> is a great left-arm orthodox spinner, she has lots of subtle variations and the ability to pick up wickets. </p>

<p>On our side, <a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/03/ebony.html">as I mentioned in a previous blog, youngsters Danielle Hazell, Danielle Wyatt and Heather Knight were all on their first tour and showed the ability to perform at this level</a>. They have many years ahead of them playing for England and I believe they will continue to do well.</p>

<p>A personal highlight of the tour came when we stayed at the stunning Taj Lands End Hotel in Mumbai. It had a fantastic pool area where some of the girls tried to catch some rays, but I realised just how top-notch the hotel was when I found out Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni were staying there.</p>

<p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Alec Stewart and Sachin Tendulkar, England v India 2002" src="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/tendulkar_stewart595getty.jpg" width="595" height="335" class="mt-image-none" style="" /></span><small><em>Alec Stewart and Sachin Tendulkar are Ebony's two favourite cricketers - photo: Getty</em></small></p>

<p>As soon as we heard Tendulkar was in the restaurant, four of us ran straight there and sat and drank tea until he was able to come over and talk to us. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8534309.stm">He had just scored a record 200 in a one-dayer against South Africa</a> and we were totally in awe - some of us couldn't say much and just beamed from ear to ear.</p>

<p>I'm often asked who my cricketing idols are and I would have to say Tendulkar, along with <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/3087063.stm">Alec Stewart</a>, are top of my list, so it was very special to meet him in person.</p>

<p>His record is amazing and speaks for itself;  to have played 442 ODIs with an average of 45 - and 166 Tests - and still have the energy to break records shows why he is one of the greatest legends of the game.</p>

<p>Apart from meeting Sachin, we did manage do get a bit of shopping in at a mall in central Mumbai, where I picked up a few Indian tops and some nice pashminas to take home. The traffic was crazy, even worse than London, but the buzz of the city made me want to go back and see even more of it.</p>

<p>We also got to celebrate <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/">International Women's Day</a> at the ground after the final game, which I really enjoyed. We were greeted in the traditional Indian way with flowers around our necks. I also got a handmade bangle, some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehndi">mehndi</a> on my hands (like henna tattoos) and had my palm read - it was a really nice way to finish off the tour. </p>

<p>Now it's back to the day job - I'm missing the sunshine already!</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Ebony Rainford-Brent 
Ebony Rainford-Brent
</dc:creator>
	<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/03/ebony_1.html</link>
	<guid>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/03/ebony_1.html</guid>
	<category>Cricket</category>
	<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Raj makes the difference</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Well, what can I say - we finished up <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8543571.stm">losing the one-day series 3-2</a>, which is not the result we had hoped for but India played some very good cricket. </p>

<p>We weren't quite up to the necessary standard with the bat but <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/54273.html">Mithali Raj</a> was the main difference - she showed why she is ranked world number one with four half centuries and an average of 143.5!  </p>

<p>Personally, I felt in great form, but I didn't do as well as I would have liked for the team. I was very happy to get promoted from three to opener, which is where I love to bat (who doesn't fancy the hard ball coming on in the first few overs!!!), as the pitches have been pretty good despite a bit of swing through the air early on and Gouher Sultana managing to get some big turn with left-arm orthodox spin.<br />
</p>]]><![CDATA[<p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Mithali Raj" src="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/raj595getty.jpg" width="595" height="335" class="mt-image-none" style="" /></span><small><em>Mithali Raj's bating was the key to India's series victory - Pic: Getty </em></small></p>

<p>The wicket here at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai is fantastic and following our win in the last one-day game here, we are set up nicely for an exciting T20 series. </p>

<p>Although I have been to India twice before, this is my first time touring to different parts of the country and there have been some major differences in the crowds.. </p>

<p>The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore was a large ground with a small number of relatively sedate supporters, but when we moved on to the ACA-VDCA stadium in Visakhapnam (Vizag), the lively, buzzing crowd lived for every ball, bringing the impressive venue to life. </p>

<p>It was amazing to hear the constant banging to a beat, cheering, waving and calling of your name and facing the first ball from the Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, with the crowd going wild and having to concentrate on the little white ball coming towards my head was the best feeling I have ever experienced. I absolutely loved it!</p>

<p>Off the pitch it has been a quiet tour, not much time to do anything other than play, train, team meetings, weights or recovery sessions, but I was fortunate enough to find a few minutes to get to the Kali Temple, near our hotel in <a href="http://www.go2india.in/ap/vizag.php">Vizag</a> with Isa (Guha).  It was an amazing experience to be allowed in and experience first hand the prayers and worship, and also to watch girls being taught classical Indian dancing. </p>

<p>We were also lucky enough to spend 15 minutes on the beach one evening, to experience the buzz of the local area at night.</p>

<p>Before I finish this blog a special mention has to go to Danny (Danielle Wyatt), Dani (Danielle Hazell) and Heather (Heather Knight). </p>

<p>Danny and Heather made their international debuts in the final ODI and showed the strength in depth we have in women's cricket in England at the moment. </p>

<p>Heather got us off to a flying start, opening the batting with composure and maturity to score 49. Yes, she is being fined for jug avoidance, although she claims she didn't realise she was on for a half century! <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8544303.stm">Danny then scored a match-winning 26</a>, playing smart cricket, which was delightful to watch. </p>

<p>I have to say, though, that Dani Hazell played for me the two shots of the series, a back-foot drive through cover from her first ball and a flat-bat straight back past the bowler off the front foot. These girls have great character both on and off the pitch and look like they will play a major part of the future. </p>

<p>Spending time with them off the pitch also reminds me why I enjoy playing and being part of a team, they all have a great sense of humour and are fun to be around, with lots of youthful energy to help keep our team in high spirits. </p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Ebony Rainford-Brent 
Ebony Rainford-Brent
</dc:creator>
	<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/03/ebony.html</link>
	<guid>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/03/ebony.html</guid>
	<category>Cricket</category>
	<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:55:18 +0000</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Playing against the best, in a legend&apos;s place</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>How great it is to be <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8416109.stm">back in India</a>. The <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/10090?&search=india&itemsPerPage=10&region=world">warm weather</a> is a far cry from the recent snow at home and cricket is absolutely everywhere. From the adverts to the endless cricket channels on TV, it is great to be here with the many great cricketers in and around the stadium.</p>

<p>In particular Michael Vaughan, who was here <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/448573.html">working with the England Under-18's boys</a>. He was kind enough to give us a team talk before our warm-up match which inspired me greatly. It was interesting to hear a fantastic England captain talking about taking responsibility, looking at yourself in the mirror and the challenges of trying to get to and stay on the top. A challenge which we are fully aware of and at the same time excited about.</p>]]><![CDATA[<p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Ebony Rainford-Brent" src="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/Ebony595.jpg" width="595" height="335" class="mt-image-none" style="" /></span><br />
<small><em>Ebony Rainford-Brent will be part of England's tour including five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals</em></small></p>

<p>So, after our inspiring talk before our warm-up match it was nice to get off to a good start, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8516951.stm">beating a Board President's XI comfortably</a>, by over 100 runs. Our top order scored well, with Squirt (Sarah Taylor) and Lydia (Greenway) both cashing in with healthy half centuries, to get us a total of 273. For me personally it was not the greatest start, getting out by missing a straight one for one run, but to be positive I told myself it's always best to get them out of the way early. </p>

<p>On the morning of our first one-day international I was excited - it's always a great feeling to represent your country. I was given the number three spot of <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6025193.ece">the legendary Claire Taylor</a>, where I rarely bat at, so I was looking forward to the challenge.</p>

<p>I was also excited about facing <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/53932.html">Jhulan Goswami</a> as I have admired her for many years and was looking forward to seeing how I faced up to her. We bowled first and Nunny (Katherine Brunt) and Anyanka (Anya Shrubsole) got us of to a great start bowling tight and throwing in a few aggressive bouncers. We performed well in the field restricting the Indians to 199, which we would be happy with on most days.</p>

<p>In our batting innings we got off to a slow start and lost Sarah Taylor early, meaning I was in against Goswami. She is one of the best female bowlers I have ever faced, bowling tight lines on off.</p>

<p>After we saw her off I was away. We needed to get on with it and managed to up the rate by hitting 16 off one over. I was gutted to get out to a low full toss lbw in the 60s, as I really needed to have stayed in and finished the job. This became more evident as we lost our last six wickets for 19 runs and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/8523880.stm">fell short by 35 runs</a>.</p>

<p>Although a poor batting performance, we are aware we are a quality squad and still have an opportunity to come back and win the series. Personally, it is always nice to make a few runs at number three and if I get more chances to bat, I will see if I can stick at it to take the game home...so I guess it's watch this space!<br />
</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Ebony Rainford-Brent 
Ebony Rainford-Brent
</dc:creator>
	<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/02/playing_against_the_best_in_a.html</link>
	<guid>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/02/playing_against_the_best_in_a.html</guid>
	<category>Cricket</category>
	<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:23:15 +0000</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Entries on the TMS blog</title>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Before my own blog was launched, I contributed to the BBC TMS blog. Here are some of those entries:</p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/06/ebony_2.shtml">On top of the world</a><br />
Two days after the World Twenty20 Final and I am still absolutely gobsmacked. The magnitude of what happened over the last few days hadn't really sunk in until breakfast yesterday.</p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/06/ebony_1.shtml">Perfect setting for semi-final</a><br />
So we're through to the Twenty20 semi-finals and will be playing at The Oval on Friday - for me, it's the perfect setting, my home ground, right where I grew up.</p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/06/more_competitive_more_positive.shtml">More competitive, more positive, fewer overs</a><br />
It's really good to be back with the girls again. Although we have trained and played warm-up games together, there is always a buzz and excitement when you meet up as a group for the start of a tournament. </p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/03/team_unity_key_to_success.shtml">Team unity key to success</a><br />
To say the past few days have been hectic would be somewhat of an understatement, although there was a moment when we thought we had lost the World Cup trophy on our return to England!</p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/03/dreaming_of_world_cup_glory.shtml">Dreaming of glory</a><br />
Sunday is a massive day for all of us - without a doubt it will be the biggest day of our cricketing lives and something we have all been working so hard for. The majority of the England squad played in the 2005 World Cup when we didn't reach the final and I know that hurt. </p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/03/more_discipline_more_aggressio.shtml">More discipline, more aggression, more fabulous</a><br />
So we arrived in Canberra after a long three-hour drive and got straight into our training session in preparation for our first World Cup match after the two warm-up games.</p>

<p><a href="https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/tms/2009/03/ebony.shtml">World Cup dream becomes reality</a><br />
The start of the World Cup is finally here. This is something I have been building up to for the last five months since being selected, dreaming and thinking about it every spare moment and I am really excited.</p>]]></description>
         <dc:creator>Ebony Rainford-Brent 
Ebony Rainford-Brent
</dc:creator>
	<link>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/02/entries_on_the_tms_blog.html</link>
	<guid>https://nontonwae.pages.dev/blogs/ebonyrainfordbrent/2010/02/entries_on_the_tms_blog.html</guid>
	<category>Cricket</category>
	<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:30 +0000</pubDate>
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