England all-rounder Freya Kemp has her sights set on the T20 World Cup after battling back from injury. Despite back stress fractures that sidelined her from bowling competitively for over a year, Kemp says she never considered giving up bowling altogether.
Kemp, who made her England debut at 17, had suffered two back stress fractures by the age of 19. Another ‘stress reaction’ in the same area meant she has not bowled in an official match since January 2025. Now 21, she has been picked in England’s squad for this summer’s T20 World Cup, with hopes that she will be able to play a full part.
Injury Layoff Provided Opportunity for Batting Development
While unable to bowl, Kemp focused on her batting. She made her first professional century last year and played a full season with Perth Scorchers last winter as a top-order batter.
“It has been a long few years but I am hopefully nearly out of the other side,” Kemp told BBC Sport. “It is horrible. It teaches you a lot about yourself and how to overcome hard stuff, and definitely teaches you a lot of resilience.”
Earlier this year coach Charlotte Edwards namechecked Kemp when discussing the need for bowling all-rounders for the T20 World Cup. Edwards has worked with Kemp at Southern Vipers, Hampshire, Southern Brave and now England.
Kemp also believes her injuries have allowed her to develop her batting. “I definitely have [improved as a batter],” Kemp said. “I have always spoken to Lottie and she has always helped me a lot around my batting, especially game situations. I would like to think other people think it as well, but I have definitely grown into being an all-rounder.”
Bowling Return on the Horizon
Though Kemp will not bowl in the 50-over series against New Zealand that begins on Sunday, she has been bowling in practice since January. She has been working closely with England fast-bowling coach Chris Liddle. Kemp has been developing new skills, and did bowl in three of the five intra-squad matches England held in South Africa in March.
It is expected she will bowl against the White Ferns and then India in the T20s which follow this three-match one-day international series, and in the T20 World Cup which begins on 12 June.
Kemp is a left-hander, something England have not had consistently in their top order since Lydia Greenway retired in 2016. Kemp, who was carded at number nine on her international debut, said: “I just really enjoy having an impact on the game as much as I can. I love bowling. I don’t think I would ever give that up.”
In related news, fellow left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur has been ruled out of the ODIs against New Zealand after fracturing her foot in a fielding session this week. Gaur is not part of the World Cup squad and no replacement has been called up to play the Wh.