SIDMOUTH spin bowler Jodie Dibble is hoping her injury nightmares are behind after being selected for England Women Academy’s tour of Dubai.

Dibble is part of Lisa Keightley’s 14-woman squad that will take on their Australian counterparts in four 50-over matches and two Twenty20s.

The first game took place yesterday (Thursday).

It’s been a difficult road for Dibble, however, after three shoulder surgeries and a torn quad muscle kept her out for most of the last two years.

However, the 20-year-old believes she is fitter than ever and says she can’t wait to make her mark when the squad kick-start their campaign out in the Middle East.

“I was out for six months each time, when I came back first time I tore my quad so then it was six weeks with that and first game back did my shoulder again,” she said.

“I played a bit away to Sri Lanka and then went away to Bangladesh with the senior squad, made my debut but my shoulder was knackered throughout that.

“It’s been a really frustrating period because every time I thought I was progressing another injury would happen.

“I haven’t played competitive cricket since the injury so this tour will be the first time I’m back. I had my operation in June and was fit again for December.

“I’m really excited to get back and play some games again because it has been such a long winter.

“I have done so much training that I couldn’t do much more to be honest and I feel like I am in a good place.”

She might only have been back for a matter of months but Dibble has already set her sights on a full season of cricket and the 20-year-old says she wants to earn a spot in England’s squad for the Ashes this summer.

“I’m confident but I haven’t really played against the Australians before so I don’t really know them too well. I’ll just go out there and concentrate on what I need to do,” she added.

“The Ashes squad is the main goal but I’m still only 20 and I still know that there is time ahead of me.

“I just need to concentrate on what I’m doing and If I don’t get selected for the Ashes then I will just concentrate on my county and prepare myself in case there is an injury.

“I’m really excited to play cricket again and get out there and see what shape I am in and what we can do.”

Follow the England Women’s 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 information and ticket details, visit www.ecb.co.uk