(Photo: Getty Images)
World Cup winner Heather Knight believes England’s dramatic finish to clinch victory in the World Cup final will provide a legacy for the next generation of young girls.
Anya Shrubsole’s match-winning 6-46 wrestled the match away from India’s favour, as they collapsed from 191-3 to 219 all out to pass the Women’s World Cup trophy into the hands of the England skipper.
Savouring the spectacle after battling to a nine-run win at a sold-out Lord’s, Knight said: “A lot of the girls in the team got their inspiration from men’s cricket – older brothers and dads – and, hopefully, the spectacle today will get a few more girls inspired and playing cricket.
“The support has been brilliant. There’s never been a better time to be a young girl in cricket.”
Many have pointed out the team should be in contention for the the Best Team Award at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year event in December, and in the shorter-term the ECB have commenced plans to have the squad paraded around the Oval on Thursday when the Men’s side take on South Africa.
While Knight and Co stand to net an equal share of the ECB’s £512,000 prize pool, meaning each member of the playing team takes home around £34,000.
England head coach Mark Robinson praised the organisation of the tournament and the ability displayed by the players, saying, “It has captured the imagination of everybody as the tournament has gone on.
“Hopefully, the women’s game will go from strength to strength. It is getting the recognition, getting its proper place. People take it seriously and give it respect.”
