World cricket queen has a day out at the Palace
ENGLAND’S World Cup-winning cricket captain Heather Knight picked another award to add to her trophy cabinet as she collected her OBE.
Rochdale-born Knight, 27, was honoured for services to cricket after leading England to beat India in the final to win the 2017 World Cup and helping change women’s cricket forever.
Her 364 runs at an average of 45, including a century against Pakistan, were central to England’s success.
After collecting her award from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, Heather, who spent her early years in Rochdale before moving to Plymouth as a young child, said: “For us to sell out Lord’s was something I never thought would happen and something like 200 million people watched us on telly which was completely unheard of.
“There was a moment when we were singing the national anthem in that world cup final when the whole crowd was with us and Eileen Whelan (former English Test cricketer) who was 105 years old was ringing the fiveminute bell.
“There was Rachael Heyhoe Flint (the former England women’s cricket captain) who obviously fought for us to play at Lord’s, I was getting quite emotional and thinking what a big day it was for the sport and the women who played before us.
“To be allowed to play at Lord’s, to sell it out and to win on home soil was the perfect story really.”
Knight, along with team mates Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole, were among Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year.
Of her visit to Buckingham Palace for the glittery honours ceremony, she said: “It is a bit strange putting the heels on. We do not often get the heels out on tours in cricket.
“It is nice to get outside the cricket bubble and have a day off.”
She said it was also great to be able to share the day with her father Mike, mother Beccy and brother Stephen because “it is also an award for them for all the support they have given me and the trials and tribulations I have put them through”. ●●Heather Knight in action for England during the recent T20 Tri Series and (inset) with the World Cup after their victory in 2017