Ebony will bowl them over with her success

Ebony Rainford-Brent, whose early life was beset with tragedy, has joined Global Coaching Company, headed by Warwick business coach and international conference speaker Bernie De Souza.

The 26-year-old, part of the team that won last year’s Women’s Cricket World Cup in Australia, was only five years old when her teenage brother was stabbed to death in the street.

As her remaining two brothers fell into decline – one in and out of prison for violence and theft, the other abusing drugs and alcohol – she was made a ward of court.

The daughter of a Jamaican immigrant mother and a father who abandoned the family, at the age of 10 Ebony had her life changed by cricket.

While in her final year at a London primary school, Ebony, who also showed considerable sporting prowess in football, basketball and represented London at the English Schools Athletics Championships in several events, joined Cricket for Change, a charity for deprived inner-city youngsters.

Ebony said: “That was the day that changed my life.”

She was immediately noticed, placed on a girls-only course at the Oval and by the time she was 12 had a trial for Surrey, became captain the following year and then represented England when she was 14.

As her cricket blossomed, so did her academic career and she gained a masters degree in chemistry having already graduated with a BSc in the same subject.

Mr De Souza said: “She is an amazing example to everyone. She will hold audiences spellbound. What greater motivation can delegates get than hearing from someone who rose to such heights by sheer guts, determination and personality.

“Ebony will be hugely popular as a conference speaker and I very much look forward to our sharing the platform together.”

Ebony, who works for Cricket for Change, said: “Bernie is one of the most respected speakers on the international conference circuit and I couldn’t be in better hands, learning my trade from the master.

“I feel I have so much advice to give about how to overcome challenges and I so want to help people to make the most of their lives and their businesses.”