England World Cup winner, Test Match Special voice, and cricket's most important reformer
CricketEbony Rainford-Brent broke ground almost every time she walked onto a cricket field, and then broke more ground when she walked off it.
Born in Brixton in 1983, she became the first Black woman to play cricket for England, making her one-day international debut in 2007. Two years later she was part of the England side that lifted the 2009 Women's World Cup in Australia, beating New Zealand in the Sydney final. A back injury ended her playing career earlier than it should have, but what followed arguably mattered more.
Since retiring she has become one of the most respected voices in British cricket commentary, a regular on BBC Test Match Special and Sky's coverage, and Director of Women's Cricket at Surrey. Her 2020 documentary work on race in cricket forced the sport to face uncomfortable truths, and the ACE Programme she founded has put hundreds of Black children into proper coaching for the first time.
On the Steam stage she brings the full package: the player who has been there, the commentator who can read a game ball by ball, and the reformer who can explain how cricket really works behind the pavilion doors. Audiences leave understanding both the sport and the world around it a little better.
Two decades of world class speakers in the basement at EC3. Want to book Ebony Rainford-Brent or someone like them? Tell us what you need and we will come back with a plan.
Start an enquiry