England are in dreamland as they win cup in thrilling style
ANYA Shrubsole described it as a dream come true after she took six wickets to help England clinch the Women’s Cricket World Cup with a narrow victory over India.
The hosts won by nine runs at Lord’s after a late collapse from India saw them fall agonisingly short in their pursuit of 228.
Shrubsole, who took five wickets in 19 balls, told Sky Sports: “I’m a little bit lost for words, if I’m honest.
“It was just an unbelievable game, we looked for minute like we were out of it, but one of the great things about this team, we never give up.
“We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren’t getting wickets.
“We knew if we got a couple we’d be right in the game and all was well in the end.
“I think it’s a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true.”
England were staring at defeat with India, chasing a modest 229 to win, cruising along at 190-3.
But a late collapse saw England snatch an unlikely victory by nine runs.
A memorable match felt like a milestone occasion for the game, and for women’s sport in this country. The home of cricket was sold out while the worldwide television audience was expected to top 100 million – and even the ticket touts were out in force all the way from St John’s Wood station to the Grace Gate.
England had lost to India in their opening game but impressive victories in the next six made them favourites to add to the cups they won in 1973, 1993 – both before women were admitted to the MCC – and 2009.
Captain Heather Knight won the toss and chose to bat first, but she had departed for one when talisman Natalie Sciver arrived in the middle with England 63-3.
Sciver and Sarah Taylor put on 83 for the fourth wicket, but both were victims of a stunning spell of three wickets for two runs off 10 balls by fast bowler Jhulan Goswami.
There was no sign of the ‘Natmeg’, the through-the-legs shot which has helped make Sciver one of the stars of the tournament, as the circumstances called for a little more introspection.
The only woman to make two centuries at this World Cup reached another 50, but added just one more run before she was trapped by Goswami. Peter Lynn & Partners Solicitors South Wales Cricket Assoc Division 1 Briton Ferry Steel 190-9 drew with Bronwydd 204 Dafen 193 beat Gowerton 127 by 66 runs Llandysul 79 lost to Gorseinon 84-2 by 8 wkts Llanelli 84-4 beat Aberdare 82 by 6 wkts Division 2 Maesteg Celtic 160-6 drew with Maesteg 199-8 Skewen 126-9 drew with Felinfoel 192-6 Division 3 Porthcawl 195-9 beat Briton Ferry Town 141 by 1 wkt
Katherine Brunt made a breezy 34 and Jenny Gunn an unbeaten 25, but England’s total of 228-7 appeared distinctly gettable. Division 4 Bronwydd II 121-0 beat Llangennech II 117-8 by 10 wkts Dyffryn 123 lost to Llanelli II 171-7 by 48 runs Gowerton II 65 lost to Pontardawe 67-6 by 4 wkts Llandeilo 188-8 v Swansea Civil Service II **** Abandoned after 1st innings - Rain*** Readers North Wales League Premier Division Brymbo 192-8 beat Gresford 190-9 by 2 wkts Denbigh 125-4 beat Chirk 146 by 6 wkts under DL rules Llandudno 146 lost to Bangor 202-8 by 56 runs Menai Bridge 82-3 beat Llanrwst