Kathryn Leng is hoping her involvement with the Bradford-Leeds University Centre of Excellence side will help her to win her place back in the England Ladies' team.

The 27-year-old all-rounder, who plays for Wakefield Ladies, is disappointed at being dropped from the England side, but she still hopes to claim a place in the side to play Australia this summer.

Leng, who is taking a degree course in business management at Bradford University, said: "They have named a squad of 12, but there are a couple of places going begging.

"I have got an opportunity to play against Australia in a development team, and if I can score a few runs I believe I can still win a place in the Ashes series this summer.

"It is disappointing to be dropped after playing 15 Tests and more than 50 one-day internationals, but I have got to be seen to be scoring runs. I don't expect to get into the side by name. I have got to show I am worth a place."

The Australian ladies team arrive in England next month for two Tests and three one-day internationals.

The left-hand bat and leg-spinner became the first woman to play in a normally all-male university match when she turned out for the University's Centre of Excellence side against Loughborough in a two-day match which started at Bradford Park Avenue yesterday.

Unfortunately, she did not have much luck, being run out for only eight, but she is hoping that playing with the Centre of Excellence side will be good for her cricket.

"It will be a big opportunity to play at the top level and see how good I am. I am not quite sure whether the bowling will be too quick. I can tell that by playing.

"I have been practising with the university lads during the winter. They were not letting up and I coped OK. You surprise yourself what you can do."

Being the only woman in a men's team is nothing new to Leng. She has played Bradford League second team cricket for Yorkshire Bank since she worked at the Bank as a teenager and was disappointed to see them disband at the end of last season.

"It was great playing with the Bank," she said. "They had really good facilities. I had my own changing room and shower. I will miss playing in the Bradford League this season, but hopefully I will be involved with the university games and I will have plenty of cricket."