As she prepares for the Kenya trip which leaves on Saturday, catch up with Holly's account of her time at the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka...

'It is now three days until the trip to Kenya and only yesterday I arrived back from Sri Lanka. Cricket aside, I feel Sri Lanka was a good warm up for what is to come in Kenya: bottled water, a thick spray of deet and suncream at all times. However, this did not stop me from getting bitten by bed bugs or sunburnt due to non removed massage oil.

In case you were wondering why I have just come back from Sri Lanka, I have just been part of the Women’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup. This was first based in Columbo for training and the warm up game. During our stay we were invited to the British High Commission and invited to the England Men’s game against India. Everywhere we went as a team we had a 3 police car escort, armed guards around the bus and police along the route to the ground stopping traffic. I’m hoping we get the same treatment in Kenya but somehow I don’t think this will be the case.

We then moved down to Galle for the group stages in which we were handed the tough opposition of Pakistan, India and Australia. Nevertheless we sailed through to the semi finals winners of our group being the only side unbeaten in tournament. Personally I had a mix of performances with the highlight being against Pakistan where I managed career best figures of 4-9 from 3.4 overs.

This saw us in a semi final against New Zealand which was to be played in the Premadasa Stadium in Columbo. Our new hotel happened to have very nice facilities including a tennis court. Mark Lane and I decided to take on Danielle Hazell and our manager Lorraine to a game of tennis. Naturally this game got rather competitive and at 4-1 down our opponents decided a new approach was in order. Both of them now at the net, I thought I might as well try a lob. Lorraine ran back to the base line to the ball which had dropped over her head, but on attempting to hit the ball back, stepped on a waylaid ball on the base line. Down she went, the physio called, crutches ordered, and xray conducted……it was a great shot though.

Back to the cricket, we managed to beat New Zealand chasing down a total of 93 with 16 balls to spare. We were into the World Cup final, it was the most amazing feeling. The following day we found it was to be Australia in the final, our biggest rivals. Unfortunately this time it wasn’t meant to be; we were outplayed by a better side on the day. The only consolation was that it was an excellent spectacle for women’s cricket. Personally I was pleased with my performance by taking a couple of key wickets and had pretty tidy economy. I even had my first bat of the whole tournament, and hit the Australian opening bowler straight back over her head for a one bounce 4. The umpire Marais Erasmus kindly commented on he shot to which I replied, I have no idea where that came from. Everyone was absolutely gutted and at times emotions were pretty hard to contain. We’ve had so much support from not just friends and family but the general public too, so I hope we have done the country proud by making it to the final.

I now have three days in which to unpack, repack and get organised for the trip. I have four kitbags full to the brim to take out with me. Thank you must go the England Women for donating all of their unwanted kit. I’m thoroughly looking forward to Saturday, firstly to meet the rest of the volunteers as to get out there and make a difference.'