Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent: Mastering All Trades

Though Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent will no longer be called an all-rounder in cricketing terms, after finally being forced to concentrate purely on her batting due to the chronic back problems that have plagued her since the age of fifteen, there is no doubt that, off the field, she remains one of English cricket’s most impressive ones.

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A member of the England side that won the 2009 World Cup, the 26 year-old has endured a frustrating time of late as far as her playing career goes, with the majority of last summer being taken up with slow rehabilitation from an ankle operation. Even so, despite not being involved in international colours since March, the only hint of complaint during our chat comes from Rainford-Brent’s wish that she could join a band. Instead of irritation, what shines through her voice is a combination of poise and assurance, unerringly indicating her vast talent and dedication to numerous spheres of life.

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From the science laboratory to the athletics track and even in music making Rainford-Brent has excelled. Now, having chosen to dedicate the majority of her waking hours to cricket, the sport will be better off. She modestly passes off the difficult decision during her teenage years, to eschew the prodigious prowess she showed in football, basketball and athletics, as “a natural progression,” a clear indication of a love for the game that still exudes from her today.

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“Now I just want to concentrate on cricket and all that goes with that,” she explains. “I have started working for myself now and I like that because there are certain challenges along the way. You have to always make sure work is coming in.”

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With all of her drive and enthusiasm, it is hard to imagine opportunities for Rainford-Brent to pass on her experiences ever drying up. When I meet her, she has just rushed back from a camp at Raynes Park High School in South London. Weeks before, she was “truly touched” by a trip to Bangladesh with Cricket for Change, the very charity that spotted her in the primary school playground and alerted the Surrey Academy. Fourteen years later, she is still representing the same county and is intent on giving something back to her beloved sport.

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Despite all of this, it would be ridiculous to pigeonhole Rainford-Brent as single-mindedly obsessive. The ability to play the drums and the guitar, as well as her master’s degree in Chemistry from University College London stand as evidence to the contrary. In fact, the only problem seems to be accommodating all of her pursuits.

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“I just wish I had more time,” smiles Rainford-Brent, “because I love playing. There is an electric drum kit in my house and once I learnt I was off! Dr Parmley, my teacher, recommended me for lessons through the school and I haven’t looked back.” 

It is not surprising that she remembers the man who encouraged her to pursue her interest in percussion, pausing over the din of the coffee shop to make sure the Dictaphone has recorded it clearly. Whatever she achieves, it seems that each act of kindness will be recalled, with a vivid fondness.

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However, although she speaks about it with typical animation, one thing that Rainford-Brent does not seem in a rush to do is make a return to the laboratory. In fact, it would probably be fair to say that the science field never had a chance. 

“I don’t think I’ll be using my degree although I did enjoy it,” she laughs. “After struggling for the first couple of years, during the time I had out with injury I seemed to have a great time. At the moment though, I am just loving cricket. I know I won’t go back.”

This cricketing passion that Rainford-Brent constantly reiterates is doubtlessly genuine, and will stand her in very good stead over the next couple of months. Because her 2010 season was restricted to a couple of county appearances at the fag-end of the summer, she was not named in the squad that will tour Sri Lanka before Christmas.
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With the deserved confidence of such a versatile and impressive performer however, she is determined to get her place back, and January’s tour of Australia is a golden horizon to aim for. Although reluctantly acknowledging that the trip Down Under, comprising of three one day internationals, five Twenty20s and a solitary Test match, may be just too soon for an international comeback, Rainford-Brent’s competitive edge will not let her rule it out completely.
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“Hopefully, being with the National Academy, I will be in the selectors’ thoughts anyway,” she says. “And I have performed well in Australia before now and scored some runs. Last season ended well and I managed to get a fifty and a couple of thirty-odds without even picking up a bat beforehand. All I can do is make sure that I’m ready and in form.”
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While the debate regarding the future of the five-day format in the game rages, it is no surprise what camp Rainford-Brent occupies. Though she is yet to experience a Test match fixture, she likes the sound of it. “Oh I can’t think of anything better than being able to bat for five days. I’d bat for ten if I could.” At the suggestion that she may hold a different view were she still able to contribute as a bowler, her grin breaks into a giggle. “I hadn’t thought of that, but I guess I wouldn’t say the same. No, running up and down for days on end wouldn’t be as good!”
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Throughout, Rainford-Brent brings up the issue of time, perhaps perpetually gripped by a desire to share it out amongst her varying talents. It is doubly admirable then, when she finishes by musing on the years she has lost due to her troublesome back.
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“One thing that I can say about my injuries is that they have shown me just how motivated I am. I wouldn’t have carried on if I wasn’t. I have also spent a great deal of time with my family, which otherwise I would not have been able to do.”
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These comments sum up Rainford-Brent very well. She is completely devoid of bitterness about her setbacks, fiercely determined to succeed and thoroughly amiable. Given her abundance of gifts, radiating a manner so humble is another attribute she can add to the list.

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Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent is exclusively represented by Total Sport Promotions. For more information, visit www.totalsportpromotions.com.

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