Aussie-born head coach Keightley, above, led a 14-strong England Women’s Academy squad to Dubai to take on their Australian counterparts – the Shooting Stars.

But despite their best efforts England were unable to return victorious – drawing a four-game one-day series before losing back-to-back T20 contests.

And while Keightley admitted the same problems seemed to rear their ugly heads during the trip to the Middle East, she is confident that a number of her stars can force their way into the reckoning for this summer’s Women’s Ashes with the first team.

“Even though the result was not what we were obviously hoping for I thought there were still plenty of positives to take away,” she said.

“With the time of the year being what it was, before the season, the girls were pretty rusty but all-in-all most matches went down to the last or second to last over and the girls played pretty well.

“The main problem was that we just didn’t have a batter hat went through and built up a big score and did plenty of damage.

“But it was a great opportunity to see how the girls are developing and to see what stage they are at and I was pleasantly surprised on the whole.

“I have no doubt that a number of girls will be pushing for involvement in the Women’s Ashes and that is the whole point of this programme so that is great.” And Keightley was keen to shine the spotlight on a select number of players who really stuck their hand up for first team involvement in the Middle East.

“I thought Beth Langston was fantastic,” she added. “She had just come back from a stress fracture and hadn’t played for the last two seasons but she bowled with confidence and pace which was exciting.

“Georgia Elwiss scored a lot of runs at a great strike rate batting in the middle order and she was very dangerous for us.

“Alex Hartley bowled some great left-arm spin and Tash Farrant bowled really well and she is an exciting young talent so hopefully these girls and a few more can keep making an impression.” 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