Women’s cricket rewarded in wake of World Cup win

WOMEN’S cricket is celebrated in a year in which England won the World Cup. The captain, Heather Knight, gets an OBE, as does head coach Mark Robinson. Clare Connor, director of women’s cricket, is upgraded to a CBE. Tammy Beaumont, Player of the Tournament, and Anya Shrubsole, heroine of the Lord’s final, have MBES for services to cricket.

Ms Knight, who started by playing cricket in her brother’s team in Plymouth, said: “We’ve had the most amazing year and we just hope it can grow our game.” Ms Shrubsole said: “It’s a massive honour and it rounds off the most incredible year for me and, more importantly, for women’s cricket. That day at Lord’s was just the most amazing experience and the reaction since has been great. It was a real team effort and we have everyone in our camp to thank for getting over the line.

“You play sport for moments like that Sunday at Lord’s and I hope women’s cricket – and women’s sport – has more days like that.”

Elsewhere, Sam Warburton, the British and Irish Lions captain, was awarded an OBE. The Welshman led the Lions on their last two tours, including the drawn Test series against world champions New Zealand in the summer.

There is an OBE for Sarah Lewis, of the International Ski Federation, and an MBE for Sue Anstiss, founding director of the Women’s Sport Trust.