Freya Kemp says that her crucial innings of 41 not out from 21 balls, which took Southern Brave to a 7-wicket win against Oval Invincibles at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday, was inspired by her call-up to the England squad the previous day.

The 18-year-old Kemp featured for England against both South Africa and India last summer, but was ruled out of the T20 World Cup after suffering a stress fracture in her back. She has been unable to bowl in a match this season for either Southern Vipers or Southern Brave.

However, England coach Jon Lewis has shown enough faith in her abilities with the bat to call her up to play purely as a batter in England’s forthcoming internationals against Sri Lanka.

“He [Lewis] called me a few days ago,” Kemp told CRICKETher on Saturday. “It’s good to know that they’re backing me as a batter.”

“[It inspired me] subconsciously – I went out there and was clear about my plans, and that helped me.”

Kemp added that there was no fixed date for her return with the ball, but said her comeback was progressing smoothly:

“I’m just working on my action and building up my overs. It’s a slow build-up but it’s going really well.”