West Country bowler leads England women to cricket World Cup glory

The West Country is basking in cricketing success after England's women lifted the World Cup at Lords.

Bath's Anya Shrubsole was named Player of the Match after a stunning bowling performance that helped her side beat India in a final watched by a massive crowd and a TV audience of 250 million.

In a final full of twists and turns, England won the World Cup yesterday afternoon. A defining moment for captain Heather Knight from Plymouth, for women's cricket and for Shrubsole.

The Bath bowler produced one of the greatest spells of her career to end India's hopes of a first ever World cup win. Needing 229 to win Shrubsole took 6 wickets.

Torpoint ferry Add to lightbox India v England - ICC Women's World Cup - Final England's Anya Shrubsole celebrates the wicket of India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad during the ICC Women's World Cup Final at Lord's, London. Credit: PA

The seamer finished with 6-46 - the best figures in a World Cup final - as India were bowled out for 219 with eight balls unused.

But for Anya, this wasn't the first time she'd appeared at Lords. Her father, Ian, recalls taking her to the grounds when she was just 11 year's old.

This was an 11 year old Shrubsole at Lords in 2001. Then a spectator with big dreams. Credit: Ian Shrubsole

Before the final, Shrubsole's father shared a picture on Twitter of his daughter as a nine-year-old, who said she wanted to play in a World Cup final at Lord's.

We filmed with Anya back in 2008. Developing quietly over time, before accelerating into the spotlight.

Credit: ITV West Country

16 years later she returned to Lords to make her dreams come true.

ngland Women's Anya Shrubsole celebrates hitting the winning runs with Jenny Gunn against South Africa Women during the ICC Women's World Cup Semi Final match at The County Ground, Bristol. Credit: PA

Speaking to us earlier, Anya told us while her dad didn't manage to win his national knockout, she's now able to hold that win over him: