Lord’s thank-you to pioneer Rachael Heyhoe Flint

Baroness Heyhoe Flint – more affectionately know as Our Rachael in her home city – died in January. She was given a huge ovation by the sell-out crowd at Lord’s.

A huge photograph of the sporting great was shown on big screens at Lord’s as the team lined up ahead of the final.

Her son Ben was given the honour of ringing the famous Lord’s bell to signal the start of the India innings.

And her presence was felt throughout the ground as England went on to clinch a thrilling victory to lift the World Cup for a fourth time

Amy Shrubsole described it as a dream come true after she took six wickets.

The hosts won by nine runs at Lord’s after a late collapse from India saw them fall agonisingly short in their pursuit of 228.

Shrubsole, whose haul included five in 19 balls as India crumbled – said: “I’m a little bit lost for words, if I’m honest.

“It was just an unbelievable game, we looked for minute like we were out of it, but one of the great things about this team, we never give up.

“We never let the run rate get away from us, even though we weren’t getting wickets. We knew if we got a couple we’d be right in the game and all was well in the end.

“I think it’s a dream and a dream you never think is going to come true.”

Coach Mark Robinson remained confident England could win despite the lack of early wickets.

“I always thought we were in the game,” he said. “Obviously they (India) played really well and full credit to them.

“It was always about getting that one wicket. If we get the one wicket, we try and get two and three, and we did.

“I’m so proud of them.

“We’ve got a lot of heart and a lot of courage in this team and we just need that break every now and again and once we got the break we were right in this game.”

Wolverhampton’s Georgia Elwiss was part of the England squad, although she did not play in the tournament.