London: England’s Anya Shrubsole will be the first woman to appear on the front cover of the fabled Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack after her heroics at last year’s World Cup.

Shrubsole hit the winning runs in a tense semi-final victory over South Africa before her six for 46, which included five wickets in 19 balls, brought England back from the brink as they edged India in the final at a packed Lord’s. A photo of the 26-year-old will grace the famous yellow jacket of the 155th edition of the Almanack, which has been published every year since 1864.

“It’s an amazing honour and privilege to be on the cover of Wisden,” said Shrubsole. “To be on the front of such an iconic and historic book means a huge amount.

Agencies