Cricket May 31, 2026

Freya Kemp: Should England promote all-rounder up the order after impressing in T20 against India?

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Freya Kemp: Should England promote all-rounder up the order after impressing in T20 against India?

Are England extracting all they can from Freya Kemp, or should she be moved up the order?

An inspired display by the all-rounder helped England level their three-match T20 series against India with a 26-run victory in Bristol.

Kemp initially starred with the bat after she scorched a scintillating unbeaten 39 off 13 balls, which included two sixes, to guide England to 168-5 in their 20 overs.

The 21-year-old then derailed India's run chase with the wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues as the tourists were restricted to 142-9.

England's victory set up a series decider in Taunton - live on Your Site - on Tuesday, but with just two weeks to go until their T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, Kemp looks to be timing her bid for selection to perfection.

Your Site Cricket's Tash Farrant hailed Kemp's match-winning performance - and urged England selectors to utilise her talent higher up the order.

"Get her facing as many balls as possible," former England international Farrant said. "She brings the energy and knows she can clear the boundary with ease.

"We have waited for a left-hander since Lydia Greenway retired so if we have one in the middle order - a power hitter - let's use her.

"Without her innings, England were in a spot of bother. She gave the bowlers something to work with and they were all brilliant.

"She felt she has been going well but hadn't quite put in the match-winning performance. She did that today."

Mark Butcher explained why Kemp has a significant role to play in England's World Cup campaign, regardless of her position in the batting order.

"That is the perfect confidence-booster for a player England are putting a lot of stock in for the World Cup," he said.

"They want both her and Dani Gibson to lengthen the batting and offer options with the ball - and what a way to bed yourself in.

"We know she has power to burn, she always has had, but injuries have killed her over the last couple of years.

"It's being able to hit sixes as England are short of that elsewhere. That's why she is so important."

Kemp's potential promotion up the batting order would bring her into direct competition with England's current No 5 batter Heather Knight.

The former England captain's recent struggles with the bat continued in Bristol as she was removed caught and bowled by Shree Charani after hitting 18 off 14 balls.

"I think Knight's place is under scrutiny," Farrant added.

"We know how experienced she is but she hasn't been putting intent into her batting. She has been struggling and is scoring at a strike-rate below 100.

"The only way England will win this World Cup is by being more aggressive and Knight hasn't been."

All times UK and Ireland, all live on Your Site

Watch the Women's T20 World Cup live in full on Your Site from June 12-July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on opening night with a game versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start). Not got Sky? or

Tags:

cricket news

Share this article

Related Posts

The Ashes: MCG pitch ruled  'unsatisfactory' by ICC following two-day Test

The Ashes: MCG pitch ruled 'unsatisfactory' by ICC following two-day Test

The Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch has received a demerit point after being deemed 'unsatisfactory' by the International Cricket Council Pitch and Out...

The Ashes: England's MCG win shows how different series vs Australia could have been, say Sky Sports' Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain

The Ashes: England's MCG win shows how different series vs Australia could have been, say Sky Sports' Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain

England's "hollow" Ashes victory in Melbourne brought about feelings of "huge frustration" as it showed just how different the series could have been...

The Ashes: England cope with the chaos on and off the field to give fans some Christmas cheer in astonishing MCG Test

The Ashes: England cope with the chaos on and off the field to give fans some Christmas cheer in astonishing MCG Test

Here is a little rundown for you.England's week has been more eventful than Craig David's in '7 Days' but, like that musician, they were then able to...

Sir Alastair Cook says 'zero contact' regarding England coaching role - but would want to be involved 'at some stage in my life'

Sir Alastair Cook says 'zero contact' regarding England coaching role - but would want to be involved 'at some stage in my life'

Sir Alastair Cook says there has been "zero contact" with England regarding a possible role on the coaching staff - but that he would like to work wit...

England T20 World Cup squad: Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue named in provisional group for 2026 tournament but no Jamie Smith or Brydon Carse

England T20 World Cup squad: Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue named in provisional group for 2026 tournament but no Jamie Smith or Brydon Carse

Jofra Archer has been included in England's provisional T20 World Cup squad after his Ashes-ending injury, with fellow fast bowler Josh Tongue also na...

Hugh Morris: Former England batter and ECB chief executive dies at age of 62

Hugh Morris: Former England batter and ECB chief executive dies at age of 62

Former England and Glamorgan batter Hugh Morris has died following a battle with cancer.Morris, who later spent time as chief executive of the England...