HAMPSHIRE all-rounder Freya Kemp has been named in all three of England Women’s ‘A’ squads set to tour Australia later this month.

The 18 year old, who has already played 30 times for England across white-ball formats, made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest England Women’s player to score an IT20 half-century, hitting an unbeaten 51 against India in Derby.

Led by head coach Jon Lewis, the England Women’s ‘A’ side will take on their Australian counterparts in three T20s, three 50-over matches, and a four-day red-ball game.

Lewis, who also serves as the England Women’s performance batting coach, said: “We are looking forward to testing ourselves against a national side with great depth. We are aware of the challenge ahead.

“There has been some good work done by the players based in England and those who have been playing cricket over the winter around the world, and this tour provides an opportunity for players to push for selection into the senior squad through strong performances against the Australians.”

Jonathan Finch, director of England Women’s Cricket, added: “We have a good mix of experience across the three squads, with all players striving to perform and push for selection into the senior team.

“The experience they will gain through highly competitive matches within a multi-format schedule will be really exciting, and hopefully invaluable for them in accelerating their development. A tour to Australia is what so many young cricketers dream of, and we wish them well.”

The tour presents a key opportunity for Kemp to showcase her skills against strong opposition, as she continues her rise in international cricket.

Most of the squad recently trained in Abu Dhabi, taking part in a warm-weather camp to refine their skills and gain match practice. They will depart for Sydney on March 17.