England women yesterday lifted the coveted Women’s World Cup for the third time in its 36 year history after beating New Zealand by four wickets.
The last time England won was in 1993 when they beat the same opposition at Lord’s.
Following the tournament which saw England lose just one game – a dead group match against Australia - captain Charlotte Edwards, herself a veteran of four World Cups said:” It's great having the trophy but I think it will take a couple of days to sink in. I'm not too sure what I am feeling at the moment, but I am just so happy we got over the line in the end. We are World Champions - it's just believing it now.
“We made really hard work of it but it doesn't matter how you win, as long as you win. The girls have worked really hard. I was biting my fingernails at the end because I didn't want us to mess it up. We had done so well in the field, we bowled and fielded well, so to let it slip stupidly would have been disastrous. Holly and Shawsy had it all under control.
“I have mixed emotions about that. It was hard telling her she was not in the team. You have to give a lot of credit to Jenny Gunn though for pulling out at the last minute. Everyone wants to play in a World Cup Final but she was honest to the team and that is what this team is all about. There are a lot of great people in this dressing room.
“I am a bit emotional at the moment. My family are here, my dad passed away recently - I am feeling a lot at the moment. I am just pleased I have done it. My brother said to me three months ago that we would win it, and I have done it. If I really put my mind to something it normally happens, but it would not happen if I didn't have such a great bunch of people around me. They have done fantastically well and it's great to see their faces. It's amazing.”
Mark Lane, Head Coach, commented: “We played some really good cricket. I thought we bowled well and then took our catches. It was a bit nerve-jangling when we batted.
“Luckily Nicky Shaw showed all her experience at the end and came good - Jack said it was a masterful piece of coaching. It was one of the hardest decisions in my life to leave her out in the first place.
“Jen was really struggling and showed some real guts to say that. Shawsy came in and filled her boots so I am really pleased.
“I was a little bit nervous but I have full confidence in people like Holly [Colvin]. Cricket is all about winning and getting over that line and that's what we did yesterday.
It means absolutely everything to me. In my coaching career I have had lots of hard nights down at Guildford Cricket Centre until 10pm and there early on Sunday mornings, so it's days like yesterday that make it all worth it.
“I'd like to thank anyone who coaches female cricketers anywhere in England because winning this is a tribute to all of them.”
Player of the tournament, England’s Claire Taylor added: It's absolutely brilliant. It's starting to sink in now and it just feels amazing. What has been a long time in planning, training, preparing and sacrifice has all some to fruition in the end.
“I like to have my goals, the girls take the mick sometimes, but after 2005 where I didn't even make a contribution, to come out of that, make some significant life changes and for it all to work is just brilliant.
“It's a team game and everyone has put their hand up in some way to get us over the line. It shows the strength of the girls and the people we have around us that we have come through.
“It was a little bit surreal when I went up to pick up the trophy. It was like the Champions League when all those things go off. To be involved in it is just brilliant.
“What will mean more though is standing here with all the players and all the support staff - we will sing our victory song and enjoy the moment together. This is a long journey which we have made together and it's been such a hard one.”
Player of the match Nicky Shaw added: “It's absolutely brilliant to have won the World Cup but it hasn't sunk in yet.
"I didn't know if I would play or not. I thought they would pick the same team as the one that played New Zealand last time.
"I kept it in when they announced the team - I got my thoughts together and carried on with the warm-up. Then I got the nod from Laney and the tears rolled down my face. I was going through a mix of emotions.
"It was right before the toss - we had people running across the field trying to change the team sheet. At that point I was pretty much crying. I had gone through a lot of emotion thinking I wasn't going to play. The one thing I hadn't dealt with was how I'd feel if I did play.
"It was really big of Jen to do that. It must have been the hardest thing she has had to do."
"Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffin were good wickets to get. I could not ask for anything better, but everyone contributed."
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to bat as we were only chasing 167 to win. I didn't mind being out there though. It was great having Holly [Colvin] out there with me. She bowled so well yesterday and throughout the tournament, so she deserved to hit the winning runs.
"I was just waiting for the ball. I didn't want to hit a four and then get out. I just wanted to wait for the right ball and that's what I did."
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