Hinckley a perfect fit for England star Beaumont

WHILE Tammy Beaumont has found she does not possess as much oomph in men’s cricket, the England batter is racking up the runs all the same after turning in a star showing for Hinckley Town.

Beaumont was part of England’s Women World Twenty20 team in March and, after their disappointing run to the semis, the 25-year-old has set about pushing herself this season.

And one of those ways in which she has done so is by making her Premier League debut for Leicestershire side Hinckley.

She is by no means the first England woman to make the first crossover into men’s first-team club cricket, with Kate Cross and Arran Brindle just two to have done so successfully.

But Beaumont is now beginning to acclimatise after racking up an unbeaten 91 on her fourth outing last Saturday – in an ultimately abandoned fixture against Loughborough – after admitting to early jitters.

“It’s been challenging and I put more pressure on myself knowing it was the first time I’d played Premier League,” said Beaumont, who plays her county cricket down in Kent.

“I was really nervous before I played the first game of the season, so I was very happy to contribute in the way I did this Saturday gone.

“Some of the bowlers are quicker to what I’m used to but I have not found myself out of my depth, it’s really competitive and that’s a good thing.

“In women’s cricket I’m known as a big hitter but in the men’s game I don’t necessarily have that going for me as I just hit the ball as far as the blokes!

“So not being able to clear long-on and long-off as easily as I’m used to is something I’ve had to adapt to.

“Hinckley have been understandable with my county and country commitments and they’re making sure than when I do play, I’m able to bat in the top four or five, which means I get as much time as possible.

“On the weekend I got in quite early on and with our captain Craig Crowe we put on nearly 200 for the third wicket.

“It was a great moment because we’ve been crying out for someone to bat through for a long time, and thankully that happened.”

Beaumont was initially introduced to Hinckley on the recommendation of former England assistant Carl Crowe, brother to club skipper Craig, back in 2012.

And it is with England’s blessing that she continues to play for Hinckley ahead of a summer in which there are big changes afoot for the national side.

With long-standing England captain Charlotte Edwards recently retired and keeper-batter Sarah Taylor taking an indefinite break, there are at least two large pairs of shoes to fill ahead of a series with Pakistan in June.

Beaumont is hoping she continues to play a major role under new England head coach Mark Robinson, who named her in his first squad in January – the tour to South Africa – some 18 months on from her most recent international appearance.

And her extra-curricular activities with Hinckley have been well-received by England.

“Pretty much every time I’m available on a Saturday, I’ll play for Hinckley, and we’re encouraged by England to play as many games at as high a level as possible,” added Beaumont.

“It obviously depends on selection but they’re supportive of what we do.

“We need to get match ready and personally the best way I learn is what I can take from each game, and to have played four Premier League games already is a good start.

“I feel pretty confident, I’m hoping to play in more England shirts this summer and the aim is for this to help me.”