How 'Kemp-son' are solving England's batting problem

England's women's cricket team may have finally solved a long-standing batting problem with the emergence of Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson. Former captain Charlotte Edwards believes the team could have won last year's 50-over World Cup had the pair been available, highlighting their absence due to back injuries.

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We've probably lacked a little bit of power at the back end and it's nice to have some real six-hitters coming in and giving us some momentum.

England has struggled for years to consistently hit boundaries, particularly when the field is set back. This issue was evident in their semi-final exit from the World Cup last year. However, Kemp and Gibson demonstrated their game-changing potential during a recent match against Scotland at Headingley. They formed a thrilling, unbroken partnership of 61 runs from just 21 deliveries, propelling England to a 38-run victory.

Their performance offers a significant boost as England faces tougher competition. Sophia Dunkley, who has also been tried in a finishing role and scored 57 in the match, noted the team's newfound dimension. "We've probably lacked a little bit of power at the back end and it's nice to have some real six-hitters coming in and giving us some momentum," she said.

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It's a huge difference from where they were last year.

Statistics underscore the dramatic improvement. In 2025, England's number six and seven batters, positions now filled by Kemp and Gibson, scored at a strike rate of 100 and hit fewer than 6% of deliveries for boundaries. This year, their boundary percentage has soared to nearly 28%, with a punishing strike rate of 181.92. This transformation has not gone unnoticed by former players. Alex Hartley described the difference as "huge," while Katherine Sciver-Brunt called their partnership "one that England needed to happen."

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Freya Kemp, when she's healthy, can hit the ball powerfully. It doesn't even look like she's hitting the ball and it goes flying.

Both Kemp and Gibson have overcome significant injury setbacks. Kemp battled back troubles that sidelined her for months, during which she focused on her batting for Hampshire. Gibson, who missed the Ashes due to a similar back injury, used the time to refine her game, particularly her off-side play. Her improved technique was evident when she twice drove the ball through the covers for boundaries in the final over against Scotland.

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It was one of those partnerships that we've all been dying for - it was one that England needed to happen going into the latter stages.