England women’s cricketer Tammy Beaumont joins Darren Lehmann Academy

ENGLISH cricketer Tammy Beaumont has joined the Darren Lehmann Academy after missing selection for a five-game one-day series in New Zealand.

ENGLISH cricketer Tammy Beaumont is not sulking after missing selection for a five-game one-day series in New Zealand last month.

Instead, she has joined the Darren Lehmann Academy and Southern District Cricket Club in the hope of improving her game to fast-track an international recall.

Beaumont, who bats right handed in the middle order, has played two Tests, 23 one-dayers and 33 Twenty20s for England.

She arrived in Adelaide last week.

“Not going to New Zealand was really gutting,” Beaumont says.

“I’ve had quite an indifferent career and am always in and out (of England’s sides).

“The fact I didn’t go wasn’t too unexpected but it has spurred me on to come back even stronger.

“I felt I needed to push myself and come to something like the Darren Lehmann Academy.

“I’m really looking for a challenge of what Australia can offer and a different perspective from playing the English way.”

Beaumont, 23, plays County cricket for Kent, where she has won four championships.

A perk of winning each title has been visiting Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Philip.

“(Meeting Prince Philip) I was so nervous, probably more nervous than when I made my debut for England.

“He was a really nice guy and said a joke that had us all in stitches.”

Beaumont is one of two women at the academy, which helps to develop overseas cricketers.

She will stay in Australia until later this month before returning to the UK for fitness tests with the national team.

Beyond that, Beaumont is aiming to stake her claim for a senior international return with strong performances on an England B tour to Dubai.

“Hopefully I can get back into the squad for summer and play the Ashes against Australia.

“Just like the men’s, there’s nothing better in cricket than playing in an Ashes series.”