Kent seamer Natasha Farrant hopes her meteoric rise through the international ranks can reach its peak in the summer with a place in England’s squad for the Women’s Ashes series.

The 18-year-old went from turning out for Kent’s under-17s to the full England squad within two years, and is now gearing up to represent the national team’s Academy in Dubai against the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars of Australia in six limited-overs contests.

Head coach Lisa Keightley has named a 14-strong squad to compete in four 50-Overs matches and two Twenty20 contests as a pre-cursor to the Ashes series, where England are due to host Australia at Farrant’s home ground in Canterbury.

And the Sevenoaks-born star is hoping to add the eight full international caps won across all formats before the season is out – with the first ODI in Dubai kicking off on Thursday April 2.

“We want to win every game and win the series out in Dubai,” said Farrant, who claimed three wickets in her last appearance for England Women’s Academy against India last August.

“To do that we need to perform as individuals and my goal is to make a claim and to be picked for the Ashes squad this summer.

“I’ve been involved in both of the last two Ashes series which went really well for the squad.

“I only played one game out in Australia, I was just in the T20 squad, but it was such an amazing experience. I actually played in the game that won us the last Ashes which was the coolest moment of my life.

“Being successful in the Ashes was amazing. Under-17s for Kent to England in two years is quite a big jump but I’ve been in it a while now so I feel at home now.”

Farrant’s career has not been entirely on an upward trajectory. She missed a huge chunk of last season after a seven-month lay-off due to a stress fracture to her lower back.

But, now fully recovered, Farrant is raring to go in 2015.

“Last summer was a bit of a write off for me until the end, but I’ve had this winter to build and now I’m fully fit which is good,” she added.

“Probably the main thing that’s changed the most for me being in the program is my fitness and my strength.

“I used to be a bit of a weed but I’ve been building myself up and I’ve also developed my skills.

“Also as a person I’ve made sure that I’m mentally strong enough if I get put into those difficult situations I can perform.

“Missing the whole of last season made me even more excited for this season with Kent. Hopefully I can get a few wickets under my belt in Dubai and go into the new season strong.”

Follow the England Women’s Academy tour against the Australian Women’s Shooting Stars at www.ecb.co.uk England will take on Australia on home soil in the Women’s Ashes this summer – for further information and ticket details, please visit www.ecb.co.uk