From zero to hero

_{Nicky Shaw spoke to ECBtv 24 hours after guiding England to World Cup glory}

England hero Nicky Shaw revealed she went through a rollercoaster of emotions as she helped her side win the Women's World Cup.

The 27-year-old was initially left out of the side but a calf injury to Jenny Gunn - she had passed a fitness test but broke down bowling during the warm-up session - meant coach Mark Lane turned to Shaw.

Her response was sensational as she took career best figures of 4-34 to dismiss New Zealand for 166 before cracking a nerveless 17 not out to haul England to World Cup glory.

"It's absolutely brilliant to have won the World Cup but it has not sunk in yet," Shaw told ecb.co.uk.

"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. Going on that I wasn't going to play, but I knew Jen was struggling so I prepared the proper way just in case as you never know what's going to happen.

Hero Nicky Shaw claims another wicket en route to picking up 4-34 in Sydney

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"I kept it in when they announced the team. I was fine as I sort of expected it. 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."

Despite it being a World Cup final, Shaw admitted she felt little nerves after being thrown the ball by captain Charlotte Edwards.

"It's probably the best I have ever bowled," she said. "I wasn't nervous at the start of my spell. Katherine [Brunt] and Isa [Guha] bowled really well and I think that settled the nerves.

"Suzie Bates and Haidee Tiffin were good wickets to get. I could not ask for anything better, but everyone contributed."

England made a mess of chasing a relatively moderate total, losing five wickets for just 40 runs to slip to 149 for six. In strode Shaw and the rest is history.

"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 today 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."