Anya Shrubsole hopes her history-making appearance on the cover of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack can set a precedent for other women’s cricketers.
First published in 1864, Wisden has never before had a women’s player on the cover but the 2018 edition features a beaming Shrubsole with the World Cup trophy in hand.
It is the latest in a long line of plaudits for Shrubsole and her teammates who enjoyed a landmark year in 2017.
The England and Somerset seamer, who took 6-46 in July’s final at Lord’s, was also recognised with a BBC Sports Personality of the Year award nomination - awards at which the England team were honoured with the Team of the Year award.
She was also named as a recipient of an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, alongside Clare Connor (CBE), Mark Robinson (OBE), Heather Knight (OBE) and Tammy Beaumont (MBE).
And Shrubsole sees the recognition as evidence of the sport’s growth - and as an exciting indication of what could come next.
“It’s such a massive honour and I feel hugely privileged to be part of such a historic publication.
“We always used to have Wisdens in the house when I was growing up and I can’t believe it’s now me on the cover.
“It’s another indication of how far women’s cricket has come - and women’s sport in general - and it’s a feather in the cap of everyone who has worked so hard to progress the sport.
“It will be an amazing memento of a memorable year and I hope many more women’s cricketers will be on the cover in years to come.”
Shrubsole and England will be in action again in March, when they travel to India for three ODIs against the country they beat in the World Cup final and an IT20 tri-series also featuring Australia.