A stress fracture can be a bowler’s worst nightmare, and Freya Kemp has faced this challenge twice before turning 19. This month, she will make her major tournament debut at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, a significant achievement following two years of dedicated recovery from severe injuries.
Kemp began her cricketing journey with Fletching in East Sussex, growing up with an older and a younger brother. “We played all sorts of sports in the garden, and they were quite competitive,” she recalls, adding that playing with her brother and his friends at the club toughened her up.
As a prodigy, Kemp made her senior debut for Sussex in 2019 while still competing in U17 and U15 teams. At just 14, she was included in the England Women’s Academy program.
Throughout her development, she received guidance from two legends: Sarah Taylor, who coached her at Bedes School, and Charlotte Edwards, who became a mentor during her time at Southern Vipers. “I watched Lottie grow up; she was one of my idols,” Kemp shared. “She has been a tremendous support, helping and mentoring me over the years.”
Kemp made a splash in 2022 with outstanding performances, particularly with the bat, earning her first T20I call-up and a spot at the Commonwealth Games. Her trajectory seemed set to mirror that of her teammate Alice Capsey and other rising stars. However, just weeks after signing her first ECB central contract, Kemp suffered her first stress fracture in December 2022, which sidelined her from the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
“It was difficult, and I was unsure what it meant,” she said. “I knew recovery would take six to nine months, and I was devastated to miss the World Cup.”
Kemp persevered through rehabilitation and excelled in the 2023 season as a specialist batter, even bowling her first international delivery in over a year during the December tour of India. Tragically, upon returning to England, a scan revealed another stress fracture. “It’s tough, no sugarcoating it,” she admitted. “Trusting my body has been challenging, but I’m working to overcome that.”
To manage her workload, Kemp has adjusted her run-up and the number of deliveries she bowls weekly, following a regimen designed by England’s sports science and medical team. “I’m grateful for my family, friends, teammates, and support staff; I couldn’t do this without them,” she stated.
Kemp has all the potential to be a crucial player for England as they aim to win their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title since 2009. Although still gaining experience in touring, she has travelled to the West Indies and India and shares a flat with veteran bowler Lauren Bell. With only two frontline seamers named in the squad, the team is well-prepared for spin-friendly conditions, featuring formidable spinners like Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, and Charlie Dean.
Motivated by her recent struggles, Kemp is ready to face the challenges ahead. “Dubai and Sharjah are different venues,” she noted. “Getting used to the differences and communicating effectively as a team is vital. I want to be there when the team needs me and make an impact.”
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