Ebony Rainford-Brent

The dinner was a great success and Ebony's 'after dinner talk' was excellent and I think that everyone attending must have been motivated by her enthusiasm for the game, and the way we can overcome problems as they crop up in life.

Oxfordshire Cricket Association

Ebony Rainford-Brent – Member of the 2009 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup-Winning Team & Host of “The Art of Success” Podcast

Ebony Rainford-Brent is a trailblazer in British sport, celebrated as the first black woman to play for the England Cricket team. A World Cup and ICC Women’s World Twenty20 champion, she played a vital role in one of England’s most successful cricketing years in 2009. Appointed MBE for Services to Cricket and Charity, Ebony is a sought-after speaker whose journey from grassroots cricket to global success continues to inspire. A respected media figure and cricket executive, she brings authenticity, leadership and purpose to every platform she graces.

Credentials and Impact

Ebony’s impact on the cricket industry is deeply rooted in both her on-field achievements and off-field leadership. She joined Surrey’s under-11 squad before progressing through the ranks to captain the senior women’s team, leading them to promotion into the top flight of domestic cricket. Her international debut came at just 17, culminating in England’s 2009 World Cup and Twenty20 victories, as well as an Ashes triumph in the same year.

A graduate of Loughborough University, Ebony transitioned into executive leadership and was appointed Director of Women’s Cricket at Surrey in 2015, the first woman to hold the role. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the ECB Board. Her involvement in development programmes like ACE and Cricket for Change has seen her champion access and opportunity for underrepresented groups, particularly at the grassroots level. Ebony’s journey from school coaching sessions to the global cricket stage demonstrates not only her passion for sport but also her drive to create long-term, sustainable change across the game.

Publications and Media

Ebony’s voice in the cricket world extends across multiple media platforms. She presents ‘The Women’s Sport Show’ on BBC Radio London and is a regular commentator on Sky Sports and Test Match Special. She hosts the podcast ‘The Art of Success’ and, in 2025, authored ‘Test Match Special – How to Read Cricket: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Game in the World’. Ebony has also fronted coverage of The Hundred and The White Ball Series for major British broadcasters.

Why Book Ebony?

Ebony is in high demand as a cricket speaker due to her unparalleled experience as both an elite player and an influential voice in the game’s evolution. As a World Cup winner and Ashes champion, her sporting insight is matched by her powerful personal journey, breaking racial and gender barriers within cricket. Recognised with an MBE and the Freedom of the City of London, Ebony brings unmatched authenticity to discussions on leadership, diversity and high performance. She speaks with warmth and authority on stage, weaving lived experience with humour and passion. Whether addressing corporate audiences or sports organisations, Ebony delivers powerful messages about resilience, inclusion and social change.

To book Ebony to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.