England win the World Cup!
Cricket ace Anya lives out her childhood dream as our women put the men to shame
AS a nine-year-old she dreamed of playing for England in a world cup final at the home of cricket.
And yesterday, 16 years on, Anya Shrubsole’s wish came true in a way she could never dared have hoped.
For not only did England’s women win the world cup – something the men have never achieved – but Miss Shrubsole was the match-winner at Lord’s with a devastating spell of fast bowling.
She helped the home side to a thrilling nine-run victory over India by taking six wickets. The 25-year-old from Bath took five of her wickets in a devastating late burst just when it seemed like England were heading for defeat.
Her performance sparked wild celebrations on and off the pitch – and earned each of 15 women in the England squad around £34,000 in prize money.
The photograph of the young Anya at Lord’s had been posted on Twitter by her ‘super-proud’ father Ian ahead of the final. After her heroic performance, Miss Shrubsole said: ‘It’s a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true. To be back here 16 years later as a world cup winner is just amazing.’
Former England batsman Mark Butcher, now a commentator for Sky, said her performance was ‘staggering’ in a tense, mistake-filled match. ‘There was one person on the field who made no mistake whatsoever and that was Anya Shrubsole. She won the game for England,’ he said.
It was the fourth time England women have won the 50-over world cup, but the first since they became full-time professionals, on around £50,000 a year, in 2014.