England players reveal raw emotions behind iconic 2017 World Cup glory

England’s 2017 World Cup triumph at Lord’s saw Heather Knight’s side overcome early setbacks and intense pressure to claim their first 50-over title in a historic final.

Awaited return to Lord's When the T20 World Cup begins, it will mark the first women’s World Cup in the UK since England’s unforgettable 50-over victory in 2017. The sold-out final at Lord’s remains one of the most defining moments in women’s cricket history. Before reaching that stage, the team faced dramatic twists: Charlotte Edwards was removed as captain, suffered a heavy opening defeat to India, battled through a tight group phase, and survived a nerve-wracking semi-final against South Africa. This is how captain Heather Knight, openers Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill, and bowler Anya Shrubsole lived through that unforgettable campaign. ## Early blows and mental battles Knight was appointed captain a year before the tournament, following the departure of coach Mark Robinson and veteran batter Lydia Greenway. Just two months before the World Cup, Knight fractured her foot in training and spent weeks in a protective boot. Beaumont recalled how the squad’s shared hardship forged unbreakable bonds: “After those two were left out of the squad in 2016, Robbo and Heather pitched it brilliantly. From that moment it was about the whole squad going on a journey and that journey was about eventually singing our team song at Lord’s.” Knight admitted her anxiety before the opener: “I remember seeing the psychologist before the first game and voicing that I was worried and stressed about my form. I wanted to find a way to let go and be at my best.” ## Disruptions and opening disaster The build-up was further disrupted when Lauren Winfield-Hill was struck on the wrist by New Zealand’s Lea Tahuhu in a warm-up match and missed the tournament opener against India. England were bowled out for 246 after conceding 281-3, losing by 35 runs. Knight described the day as chaotic: “It wasn’t a great day. The stewards at Derby wouldn’t let us in the ground because we didn’t have the right accreditation.” Winfield-Hill added: “We were completely caught off guard and shell-shocked in that first game. It almost brought us the wake-up call we needed.” Beaumont admitted her own doubts: “I spoke to the sport psychologist about the ‘what ifs’ that could derail me. Then in the first week, all of my what ifs went wrong. I wasn’t going to be opening with Loz; my favourite bat broke – all silly things that I look back on now.” ## Turning point and dominant surge A quick turnaround saw England roar back to form, smashing 377-7 against Pakistan, with Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt both striking centuries. Victories followed against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and, for the first time at a World Cup since 1993, Australia. Knight stressed the importance of leadership: “I knew I had to lead from the front and be quite aggressive. The big one was that game at Bristol when we beat Australia. It was when there was real belief.” Winfield-Hill highlighted the captain’s influence: “You never underestimate how much that feeds into the group, when your captain is performing. Heather embodies being courageous and brave which is so infectious for a group.” ## Alex Hartley’s game-changing role Beaumont praised Alex Hartley’s knack for removing key opposition batters: “We were always more than the sum of our parts. Alex Hartley – The Destroyer – had a knack of getting out the big batter of the opposition. She got Meg Lanning, Suzie Bates, Harmanpreet Kaur. It was almost like every single game she got the big wicket, found that way.” ## Semi-final scare at Lord's Victories over New Zealand and West Indies set up a semi-final against South Africa, where England were cruising at 139-2 chasing 219 until the announcement that Lord’s had sold out. Almost immediately, England lost 4-34, leaving their chase in serious doubt. Winfield-Hill recalled the panic: “I remember hearing that and thinking if we’re not there it’s going to be an absolute disaster. You are just trying to fake it, look all chilled, but inside I remember feeling so sick that the dream could be over.” Beaumont described the dugout tension: “I was sitting on the balcony sitting next to Sarah Taylor after she got out and we had far too much nervous energy. We were dancing in our seats every time the music came on.” Knight admitted her helplessness: “It was the worst 40 minutes I have ever had in my life watching cricket. I just felt sick.” ## Gunn and Shrubsole pull off miracle Jenny Gunn and Fran Wilson put on a vital 40 runs, but further wickets fell until Shrubsole entered with England requiring two runs from the last three balls and two wickets remaining. Winfield-Hill still visualizes that moment: “I play that carve through the off side in my mind all of the time..” Beaumont trusted Shrubsole completely: “The best thing is we all knew that is what Anya was going to do. She is going to walk into channel, cannot be out lbw, and she is going to get bat on it.” Shrubsole credited her teammates: “Genuinely, Jen and Fran set the game up for us and Shabnim Ismail bowled it in the one place I could have hit it. If it was anywhere else I might have struggled.” Knight joked about Gunn’s alter ego: “Talking of Jenny Gunn, it was Val that day. Jen has an alter ego called Val. When her bun is a bit skew-whiff it is Val not Jenny. Val was always going to get the job done.” ## Final preparations with musicals and movies The win secured England’s place in the final, with India joining them after stunning Australia in a dramatic semi-final two days later. With five days to prepare, the team tried to unwind in London. Shrubsole revealed her unusual relaxation method: “I love musicals and we were in London so I went to watch Wicked and The Lion King.” Knight described the restless night before: “The night before the final we didn’t know what to do with ourselves and were spending hours trying to decide what we were going to have for dinner, decide what film to watch. We picked Saving Private Ryan which is three hours long and we started at 9pm so all had a panic that we weren’t going to sleep. We cut the movie off and everyone went to bed. I certainly laid there and had no chance of sleeping for a little while.” ## Winfield-Hill’s final ironing panic Winfield-Hill shared a lighthearted moment: “The thing I remember is pulling my kit out of the laundry and it was really crinkled and I was like ‘oh yes, this is fine’. Courtney [Winfield-Hill’s wife] was like ‘no, Loz, you can’t play a World Cup final with your shirt like that.’ I remember her doing the ironing to make sure we at least looked the part. I also remember her cutting hair. It was quite good because she’s a bit of a clown so it took your mind off.” ## Lord's roars as England prepares to bat first A crowd of about 25,000 filled Lord’s for the final, the historic home of cricket where women were barred from the Long Room until 1999. Pre-match tributes honored Rachael Heyhoe Flint and Eileen Ash. Beaumont reflected on the weight of the occasion: “We had the minute’s silence for Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who passed away six months before, and then Eileen Ash ringing the five-minute bell. That is the closest I have come to tears. I had to go and open the batting in a World Cup final and was saying ‘pull yourself together’. That is probably the proudest moment of my life. That day wasn’t about the XI or 15 going onto the pitch. It was about any woman that has ever played for England or will in the future.” ## India’s charge halted by Shrubsole’s magic England elected to bat first and set 228-7. India appeared destined for victory at 191-3, needing 38 from 44 balls, before Shrubsole produced a sensational spell. She finished with 6-46, including 5-11 in 19 deliveries, as India were bowled out for 219. Even when Gunn nearly dropped a crucial catch, Shrubsole sealed the win next ball. Knight revealed the original plan: “The original plan was to get a couple of overs out of Anya and then go to Katherine to be honest. Anya just had this look in her eye where I didn’t need to say anything. It was like no nonsense, ‘don’t say anything to me, don’t distract me, let me get on with my job.’ I didn’t do anything at all. Anya ran the show.” ## Shrubsole’s historic spell dissected Shrubsole detailed her bowling changes: “When I came back on for that spell they hit a wide ball over point for four and a full ball for four. From that point on I went as simple as possible. Veda Krishnamurthy was trying to be attacking and I thought I was going to try and bowl slower balls to the batters that are in and if we get new batters in bowl full and straight and make the batters make a mistake. Poonam Yadav missed a straight one which always helps. Hartley got a wicket in the next over and then we got two wickets in the next, Veda, which was a massive wicket, and Jhulan Goswami with a ball which was not what I was trying to bowl.” Beaumont added: “I love that the girl who gets 6-46 in a World Cup final didn’t mean any of it. It is just so Anya.. We had got through those games that were really tight whereas India had won really comfortably or lost badly. They didn’t have those close games. It felt like we were more battle hardened than they were.”