Lydia Greenway: Canterbury Ashes Test is a dream come true

Kent and England batsman Lydia Greenway is delighted that the Women's Kia Test next summer will be played on home turf.

The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence is the venue for the England's Test match of an Ashes summer which features a seven-game series with three T20 and three One-Day Internationals versus Australia either side of the Women's Kia Test.

The Farnborough-born cricketer cannot wait for the chance to represent her country in the ground where she grew up watching cricket.

Greenway said: "It will be a fantastic occasion for the five of us that play for Kent if we are involved. Growing up, I would come to Canterbury with my Dad and play on the outfield in intervals during games but to get the chance to play in the middle for England would be amazing.

"With the fixture being held around Canterbury Cricket Week, I hope Kent Members and Supporters can turn out and make it a special atmosphere and get behind the team."

England and Australia are the powerhouses of the women's game and no series is keener fought than the Ashes clashes with the outcome decided over all formats of the game.

England triumphed 12-4 in the last home series in 2013 and retained the Ashes in Australia this year thanks to a 10-8 win.

The 29-year-old said: "We have a big rivalry over the years but there's a lot of respect between the two sides.

"They have had the better of the T20 and one-day formats lately but we have excelled in the Tests so it makes for a interesting series.

"Reducing the number of points for a Test win makes it even closer than ever and will hopefully encourage attacking cricket."

The first female graduate of the Kent Cricket Academy in 2004 and her 11-year international career has gone from strength to strength and hopes the fixture can promote participation in the grassroots game.

Alongside her international commitments, the left-hander is an ambassador for the Chance 2 Shine charity, which aims to increase cricket playing in schools.

The former Hayes School student said: "We hope that the Ashes series coming to Kent will inspire more young people to play the game and get involved at school or their local club.

"We've trained to play the best teams but an important part of playing for England is that we are role models for girls and showing that you can now make a living playing the game.

"Playing Twenty20 games alongside the men has boosted the profile of women's cricket and having the games televised live will be another boost."

The Women's Kia Test takes place on August 11-14, 2015. Entry to the Kia Test and Kent v Australia men in Canterbury are included in Kent All Rounder and Championship Plus Memberships and an option for Six Pack package holders.

Click here to secure your 2015 Membership and entry to both Australia games

Match tickets are due to go on sale in March 2015.