England Women's World Cup triumph a 'watershed moment'

Shrubsole was the star of the show at a sold-out Lord's on Sunday as she tore through India's lower order to secure a nine-run win. The swing bowler took six for 46, including five in 19 balls, to snatch an extraordinary victory from the jaws of what appeared an inevitable defeat. The worldwide television audience was rumoured to be around 100 million and Shrubsole says it felt like a milestone occasion for the women's game in the country. "I think it's a watershed moment for women's cricket," said Shrubsole. "The final was a really fitting tribute to the whole tournament, which has been brilliant from start to finish.

"We obviously set out to win, but we also want to inspire women and girls to play cricket and hopefully our win, and the way we have played, has done that." Her heroics came just two days after father Ian posted a snap of his then nine-year-old daughter gazing across the Lord's outfield on Twitter, along with the caption: "What a place! I'd like to play here … for England … in a World Cup final." She said: "I remember the day, I remember watching him in that game — I don't remember saying that but I guess it just shows that dreams can come true." England looked out of it with India, chasing a modest 229, cruising along at 191 for three but Shrubsole snared Poonam Raut for 86, and the chaos began. She added: "Once we got [Raut] out it just gave us a little bit of hope, a little chance with the new batters coming in under a huge amount of pressure." When Alex Hartley accounted for Sushma Verma for a duck and Shrubsole removed Veda Krishnamurthy and Jhulan Goswami in successive balls, England had a lifeline and suddenly Lord's was hosting a thriller.