Test Match Special - Healy heroics thwart England World Cup hopes

Episode Date: April 3, 2022

Alison Mitchell is joined by 2017 World Cup winner Alex Hartley, Henry Moeran and Stephan Shemilt to review Australia’s 71 run World Cup Final victory over England.Plus we get reaction from England captain Heather Knight, Australia’s captain Meg Lanning and the England head of women’s cricket Clare Connor.

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It is Ash Gardner at Middorf, takes the catch that sees Australia crowned as world champions. A stream of green and gold runs onto the field. And now a huddle, embracing one another to celebrate a remarkable achievement. Five years ago, they crashed out on the semi-final stage. They rebuilt, they came back stronger. And a side that has lost just two 50 over games in the intervening, half decade. Now claim the World Cup, beating England by 71 runs in Christchurch.

Nat Siver is left stranded. She's played brilliantly, but the best side in the world will be lifting the World Cup trophy. Australia have won the World Cup. Well, an extraordinary performance by Elisa Healy to help Australia on this pathway to dominance that, well, has been in the making since 2017 when they crashed out. of that World Cup and since then it has been their mission and they have not lost a series in any format 21 straight series victories a 26 game one day international winning streak they have two T20 World Cup wins and now they have added the much wanted 50 over World Cup as well Alex the innings from Nat Siver though that's got to be worth a word and more than that because 148 not out of a hundred and 121 balls. It does just make you think, what if England had batted first? It does indeed. And we're going to ask that question over and over, aren't we? What if England batted first? But also, what if somebody stuck around with that siver? What if one more batter got 50? What if somebody else could just be with her and build partnerships?

It's been a thing throughout that England needed to extend batting partnerships. And it just didn't have. happen today. And the dropped catches will be rude as well, won't they, with both Healy and Haynes, who put on 160 for that first wicket. Both of them dropped in the space of four balls off Kate Cross. Yeah, it was. There was two drops in the over, and it sort of changed the game, and, you know, it gave Haynes and Healy a chance.

Had England taken those chances, it may have been a different game, it may not. But Australia, you can't take anything away from the way that they've played today or at all throughout this world. Cup. They've been absolutely fantastic and they do deserve to be world champions. Yeah, they've come through this tournament winning nine games in a row. Of course, before that, they were facing England in the Ashes series. They dominated that. England did not win a game throughout that series, but Elisa Healy was dropped on 41. Funnily enough, by Siver, he then went on to score her own career best.

Again on 136, but you just can't give those players lives. Haynes was dropped on 47. England have, well, it's been a difficult World Cup in the way it started. They did brilliantly well to then work their way up to this final. And now they have to sit back and watch the Aussies lift a trophy, which is utterly, utterly deserved, you have to say. Stefan Schemel is still with us as well in the commentary box and Five Live Breakfast will follow us here on Test Match Special. But Stefan, for this Australian side,

this World Cup is a trophy they last held in 20. we've talked about this run they've been on since 2017 in their dominance can it be compared to dominant sports teams you know across the eras that we've seen the likes of you know the Chicago balls in the 90s that the all blacks that the Arsenal invincible they had just head and shoulders above the rest at what they do absolutely and when you think that Australia just because of the nature of cricket they've got so many different different prizes that they can go after. They're ashes holders. The last two T20 World Cups they've won. They've been dominant in this 50 over World Cup. And you mention some of those great teams, Alley. So you can think about different cricket teams

and maybe the Australian men in the 2000s or the West Indies in the 1980s. And then you start thinking about other sports like the All Blacks who have they been so dominant in rugby union or Arsenal's Invincibles who went through an entire season undefeated to win the Premier League. This team, this Australian team, has got to be up there. Ridiculous numbers.

38 one-day internationals prior to this final. They'd lost only one of them. They're the first team to go through a women's world cup with nine wins from nine. They are head and shoulders above the rest of the planet when it comes to women's cricket and is up for the rest of them to catch up. And it will probably take some time for that to happen

because Australia have got such an established domestic setup. they've got what about 120 professionals maybe more than that the next most is England with about 70 with their new setup of regional contracts and the hundred and all that sort of thing it's probably going to take England four or five years to match Australia that's a really scary thought it used to be Australia in England then the rest now it's just England who are the best of the rest trying to swim that ocean to catch up with the Aussies I suppose if we're when you start looking at other sports and other sporting eras.

It is a bit difficult to compare because of the developmental stage that women's professional cricket is currently at. And Australia resource-wise, numbers-wise, everything you're staying. Stefan, they are so much ahead of the rest. And so I have to compare it to say, Steve Wall's test team for Australia, that test team was competing in a sort of very different arena to where Australia currently sit as a professional cricketing women's nation amongst the rest at the moment.

And Alex, from all the matches that you've seen, I mean, how far away are some of the others and are you seeing? We'll come back to that, Alex. Let's get down to ground level and Henry Moran. Thank you very much indeed, Ali, live on five live. Is the England captain Heather Knight standing on the boundary edge? Heather, how do you reflect on that? Well, I think, first of all, credits Australia. That was a remarkable innings by Lisa to do that in a final.

And for them to put that on the board was tough. We didn't probably have an answer at times. I think they batted out Stanley it was a very good track made it very hard to defend and yeah obviously we fought hard in the chase that's ever unbelievable

what innings again against Australia this year's unbelievable but yeah obviously disappointed but credit to Australia the way they played today very easy in hindsight but do you look back at that toss

and think maybe another decision would have been the way to go I don't think so I was pretty 50-50 to be honest it's one of those where you weren't unhappy if you'd lost it but no I think it was the right decision

it showed it was a good wicket to chase if we have more wickets in hand there and someone bats with that you extend that partnership then there's a chance you can chase that down so no no regrets and I guess judgment in hindsight is a slightly different thing this Australia team are a phenomenal unit do you look at them and think this is where we have to be

yeah I think they've been outstanding they've been brilliant this tournament haven't they I think the way they're so ruthless with their partnerships I think it's something we can really learn from the way Alyssa and Rach at the top of the order the way they put on a really big partnership and took the game away from us. I think it's something we haven't done as well as we could have this tournament. I think it's something definitely we can look at and learn from them that we can do better in the future.

I know it's very raw, very fresh, but how are you going to look back on this tournament? It's been a topsy-turvy few weeks. It's definitely been a roller coaster, that's for sure. I think the main thing is pride at the way we fought, obviously, disappointment. But to come back and to make it through to the final, obviously, with three losses at the start, was, yeah, brilliant character from the girls. But yeah, obviously disappointment, but I think we'll look back and knowing we're involved in what's probably one of the best tournaments.

I think in terms of competition and standard in the women's game will be a positive memory. For some players, this is likely to be their final 50 over World Cup, the likes of Catherine Brunt and your Shrubesol. Next time this tournament comes around, it could be a very different England side. Yeah, of course, you start a new cycle. I guess it's three years rather than four years with the COVID delay. But I think people will reflect afterwards

as probably not going to be any emotional decisions, I don't think. But yeah, who knows what the next three years holds. Will you look back on this World Cup fondly despite falling at the final hurdle? You have to ask me that in a couple of months, I think. Yeah, potentially, I think obviously to not be able to go one more and bring home the trophy is gutting. And I think it would take a little bit of time to sink in the disappointment. But, yeah, potentially, I think like I said, I'm super proud of the chance we've given ourselves to get in this position and be in the final after the start we had.

So, yeah, we can take a lot from that. Heather, thanks so much for your time and commiseration. Cheers, thanks so much. Heather Knight, the England captain standing on the Boundary Age. You might see if I can just grab an Australia representative as well while I'm down here, as you might understand, Allie. It's quite chaotic. But leave it with me for a few moments, and if I get anyone, I'll let you know.

And we will be straight back with you, Henry, of course. Heather Knight there, Alex, could you detect emotion in her voice? Because she memorably was very emotional post, The Ashes. I mean, it's been a long, long winter's talk. for this for England, hasn't it? It has, and there is some emotion in her voice, and rightly so. You know, it has been a long old winterfall, and they've spent a lot of time away, you know, and that's just the way of the world at the moment with COVID bubbles and having to come over

to New Zealand and quarantine, you know, a week or two before they probably would have liked. But, you know, they've just lost a World Cup final. Everybody's going to be feeling emotional. Even the Aussies who have won it, they'll be emotional. And it's one of those things. It'll take a few days to sink in. able to reflect on this game properly as an England side and there'll be a few emotions around and a few of the England girls who know that this is probably their last ever 50 over World Cup

they'll be the ones that are feeling incredibly emotional but credit to Heather Knight she always interviews well and she's obviously incredibly proud of her team deep down well pause there let's go back to Henry Moran and the Australia captain Meg Lanning is alongside me Meg the final piece of the jigsaw complete how much a relief to get over the line really pleased with that obviously you know it's been a long time coming this tournament to be fair it's been the back of our minds and and there's no doubt that we wanted this trophy in the cabinet and yeah it's been an amazing effort over a number of years and to finish it off like this is amazing this team has gone

through a phenomenal cycle in the last five years how proud are you to have created a team that many are saying is the best international side in any sport I've loved it to be honest you know all the players and staff are so great to be around and be involved with you know everybody does their bit you know everybody's slightly different and bring something different to the team, which I think is really important. But we just really enjoy each other's company. We've got each other's back. And through the highs and the lows, we just continue to live by the way that we want to, I guess, and the values that we've created. So, yeah, certainly a great group to be around.

How happy were you when the toss was called in the way that it was with you batting first? We were going to bat anyway, so I was pretty happy, to be fair. It looked like a belt or a wicket. And sometimes in finals, when you got runs on the board, that means a lot. So, yeah, we've sort of both got what we wanted in the end I guess but we were pretty pleased to bat first a word on Alyssa Healy's innings it was one of the all-time great World Cup innings that wasn't it? It was amazing to watch

I can't say I've ever come in in the 45th over of an ODI before but I'm pretty happy to do it with Elisa Healy out there betting like that it was an incredible knock I'm not sure we'll see anyone like it difficult question perhaps to answer but what do England do to get close to Australia I'm not sure you'll have to ask

them I think they've shown some some good determination through the tournament to get back into it. They've got some world-class players as well. So I'm sure they're thinking about that behind the scenes, but yeah, I can't come into that too much. And what does this evening hold for you and your side? I mean, this has been a long time coming. Yeah, look, well, certainly celebrate this one pretty hard. I'd imagine, as you said, it's been coming for a long time. We felt like we've waited for it and now we've finally done what we achieved to do. So, yeah, we'll certainly be celebrating. Many congratulations, Meg. Thanks for your time.

Thank you. Meg Ladding, speaking on the boundary edge. And again, that decision at the The toss, Ali, is on the minds of plenty of people down here. Yeah, I'm sure it will continue to be so as well. Thank you, Henry. But Alex, let me throw that question back to you. And from what you have seen at this tournament and, of course, the ashes prior to this, how far away are England from Australia? What do they need to do?

I think it just shows, we often talk about it, the domestic setup. You know, Australia have had a professional domestic setup for five or six years longer than England have. England only started a couple of years ago and realistically the first year was heavily impacted by COVID. So we've had professional domestic players in England for one year. And one year cricket is what, 10, 15 games? It's not many at all. This Australia side, they've played domestic cricket for years and years.

They've got over 150 domestic games and experience under their belt. It's going to take a while for England to catch up. But they're not a million miles away. And I guess that's the exciting thing. And then we've got the likes of India, Indies, you know, all the other teams in this competition, New Zealand, who are all investing in their domestic setups. I mean, this World Cup's been the closest in some regards than we've ever seen before, but Australia

have absolutely walked it. If you speak to someone like Lydia Greenway, Ali, who's been working with us on Test Match Special during this World Cup, she's a World Cup winner numerous times over with England. She also does some coaching with the Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League. And she says that when Australia's domestic players go back to their domestic set up, the system in all of those states and all of those franchises is comparable to everyone else's international team. That is what they get at the domestic level. So that's not just the standard, but that's the way they train all the different support staff that they've got.

Even things like maturity and game management and how to behave as an international cricketer, Those are all the things that Australia have got over every other team, not just England. And so the thing that Alex says is absolutely correct is that I don't think England are that far away talent-wise. We've seen that with some of the performances they put in during this World Cup. Sophie Eccleston ends as the tournament's leading wicket-taker. Nat Siver has been magnificent with the bat. It's just time. She's surely going to be the number one all-rounder, isn't she?

Yeah, at the end of this tournament, she will absolutely have overtaken at least Perry. four or five years and then we can judge how England's domestic setup is tracking in comparison to the Australians. Yes, that's professional culture that seeps all the way through the system that has had that time to develop, saying that when you get one-on-one, you've got to execute those skills. But, I mean, extraordinary for Naziv. Imagine scoring 100 off 90 balls in a World Cup final, finishing unbeaten on 148, only the third woman after Alyssa Healy, who was only the second to score 100. in a World Cup final and yet Civers on the losing side.

Let's take a few minutes to reflect and indeed celebrate Elisa Healy's 100 because we watched something quite extraordinary and it will go down way to as an all-time great pinnings. And even just by its sheer numbers in terms of World Cup finals, men's and women's, she has now topped the list. But he just had to sit back and watch in Wonderman out really, didn't you? yeah you did you know it was an exceptional innings it was almost a shame they were playing england because it was so good to watch and watching it he almost watched in awe of just the way she manipulated the field

and the way she made england think about what they were doing she just outplayed england in all regards today and it was the greatest knock in a world cup final that i have ever seen to score 170 of 136 balls takes something incredibly special coming off the back of 129 in the World Cup final the only batter to ever score more than 500 runs in a World Cup competition.

She has been top tier during this World Cup and especially today. She's a big game player as well, Ali. Sorry, if you think back to the T20 World Cup Final in 2020 when there was 86,000 fans inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground who was playing.

of the match, Alyssa Healy. In the semi-final against the West Indies, on a tricky green surface after it had rained in Wellington, the West Indies won the toss and bowl first. Who bludgeon's a century? Elisa Healy. And in this game, the World Cup final, the biggest stage of all, the most pressure Australia have ever been in under in a 50-over game. Who steps up? It's Alyssa Healy. What a player she is. Everyone who knows her says she's a nightmare to play against for an absolute dream to be with. And that's all you want, really, isn't it? Yeah, I've spent a bit of time with her in commentary boxes

and she often pops up during the Australian season. Even to watch her husband, Mitchell Stark, and pass a comment on him in the commentary box before. But she's a phenomenal player, wicket-keeper bat. And she had said before this final that she's assessing things as she goes along in terms of her longevity and her future. It feels like it would be a crying shame if she decides that now is the right time to retire, go out on a high.

But she will assess, she's 31 years. years old and she might have other ideas of what she wants to do in the coming years. But certainly other players like Rachel Haynes, 35, her last World Cup. Catherine Brunt, we've spoken about her, just incredible longevity. And for Catherine Brunt playing at her first World Cup was in 2005. And at the age of 37, pushing through this World Cup, still making technical changes and improving as she went along through this tournament. You're listening to the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 live.

Extraordinary innings from Elisa Healy. I have not seen better in any World Cup final. Just a fabulous history-making, legendary knock. Healy 170 off 138 balls. A tweet here from the Australian statistician Rick Finlay, who says Elisa Healy would have won the World Cups of 1982, 1988 and 2009 on her own. Well played. Let's speak to Claire Connor.

managing director of women's cricket at the ECB, Claire. If England hadn't made it to the final at all, though, and exit was very much on the cards, wasn't it, with three defeats in a row, they managed to rescue themselves because that would have been seen as an abject failure, wouldn't it, for the defending champions for this England team, such a well-resourced side to have not made it as far as they did?

Yeah, absolutely. And that was the, as you say, that was the kind of the barrel that we were looking down after three really close games and three defeats against Australia, West Indies and South Africa, our first three, you know, on the back of a, on the back of a grueling ashes. So, you know, I think Heather and the team should be very, very proud of that comeback. Okay, you could say they shouldn't have been in a position

where they needed to find such kind of bounce back ability or resilience, but they did. Yes, they are very well-resourced, and, you know, people could say, well, they shouldn't have lost that game to the West Indies. But, you know, the competitive gap across the top teams now is closing, and that's what's vital for the strength of the women's game globally. And, you know, what we did do is show huge heart and character to come back and win our remaining group games.

And, you know, tournament cricket is, as... as we all know, if we've played in it or follow it, or it's about, it is about that kind of momentum and learning as you go and peaking, peaking through the tournament. What Australia have done, remarkably, has found another level. You know, having been unbeaten coming into this final, they found yet another level. Yeah, a jaw-dropping performance from Elisa Healy and messages,

even I've been getting in this morning from people who aren't necessarily regular watches of the women's game who have just been, this had had their breath taken away by one extraordinary performance. I want to talk about some of the players, well, I guess one player in particular who this is likely to be her final World Cup, which is Catherine Bruntz, who's nearly 37, and you captained her in her first World Cup in 2005. There is an England summer to come, and she may well play through that. There's a Commonwealth Games, of course, in Birmingham this summer. but for Catherine Brunt in her last World Cup this her fifth and she's won two of them

what can you say about her career oh I mean almost it makes me a little emotional kind of talking about it as you say Ali you know I I captained her in my last couple of years as captain and and saw the raw the raw character that she was then

and she's retained so much of of that character and played such a lead role for England over so many years. You know, three back surgeries, you know, literally carried off on a stretcher pretty much at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2018. She's, you know, she bleeds England, you know, she, there aren't words really for her. She's seen it all, you know, she's gone through that entirely amateur era for the first. almost 10 years of her career, you know, being a almost a completely amateur cricketer and now over the last seven or eight years kind of reaping the benefits of being better paid and better

supported and on professional contracts around the world. You know, she's played in the women's big bash. She's played in the 100 now. She's, you know, been multi-format player for England that has, you know, at times been the most feared cricketer in the world. And the most loved. You know, she's very, very loved within this England set up. Will it be her last for a, in an England shirt here in New Zealand? I don't know is the honest answer to that. I think the lure of the Commonwealth Games will be, could be influential for her. But, you know, whatever she decides, she's given 18 years of her life to England women's cricket. And, you know, you genuinely, I know when you look back on a career

and you weigh up your contribution could Catherine Brunt have given any more to this England team and to the sport and the answer is categorically no it's extraordinary longevity and the game will be again poorer when she's not playing it because she is an enormous entertainer and compelling viewing

Claire before we let you go with your ICC hat on chair of the ICC Women's Committee see if you've been pleased with the way this tournament has held up the organisation and I guess the challenges of COVID unbelievably I mean I'm looking out now over a sun drenched haggly oval and it is absolutely full full to the seams for this final it's the it's the biggest event that has been held in this country since pre-pandemic since the pandemic I was chatting to Ian Smith a moment ago and he said that he thinks there are more in here than than watched brenda McCollum play in his last test match here a few years ago. So yeah, it's absolutely incredible. So firstly, good on the people

of Christchurch for coming out and supporting this, you know, this massive event in all their glory. You know, they haven't got their own team to support, but they are making it such a special occasion for both England and Australia. As for the tournament organisers, they've done an amazing job. They're a lean team. The LLC who've been on the ground here. now since 2018-19, you know, they've had to cope with the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic, of the postponement a year ago, six months ago they didn't even know it would still happen because, you know, it was still all so uncertain. So as a tournament team delivering this Women's World Cup, they deserve enormous credit for their resilience and for their teamwork.

And so to the New Zealand government for unlocking Christchurch for this on this amazing occasion and making it such a brilliant kind of showcase final for the tournament. But what have the highlights and the lowlights been? Well, here are Alex Hartley, Stefan Schemelt and Henry Moran. Well, what a World Cup it has been. Arguably the best 50 over tournament that the women's game has held in its history. We've seen brilliant matches, close matches as well, and been treated to some of the most

spectacular venues in the world game to boot. Stefan Schemeltz, Alex Hartley, we've been following it all around the country, and it has been absolutely sensational. What are your overall reflections, Steph, first of all? It's just been a fantastic tournament, really, really enjoyable. I think we all came into it with a certain amount of trepidation. How much would COVID play its part? I think for me personally, I was actually feeling pretty guilty

that I'd been allowed into New Zealand to do my quarantine when so many ordinary New Zealanders couldn't get back home when Ash Gardner, the Australia all round, attested positive just before the tournament began. You remember when we were thinking about could a team play with nine players when the ICC put that regulation out just before the tournament began? And we were all worried, like how badly might this tournament be hit by COVID? It's already been delayed by a year.

And are we going to be in a situation whereby we have a farcical situation of a team taking the field with nine players? but all those worries melted away really quickly even on the first day going back to Mount Munganui that amazing finish when the West Indies beat New Zealand the drama of Deandre Dotting grabbing the ball for the last over of the match and saying I'm going to be the match winner

and doing just that and that really set the tone for the amount of close finishes we've seen such high quality cricket particularly some spectacular catches and just the general evolution of the women's game and one thing that I think that I will certainly take away from this

is that there's no need I don't think anymore for us to spread the word of women's cricket because it is here and it speaks for itself now. I think it's just been a fantastic tournament hasn't it?

For the first time in forever it feels like anyone can beat anyone most of the teams in 2017 it didn't necessarily feel like that everyone just presumed it would be England, Australia, India and who would qualify for that fourth semi-final

whereas in this competition it came right down to the wire right down to the very last game. Anyone could beat anybody and we've seen some fantastic cricket and it's genuinely been a pleasure to cover. We'll get on to the best moment, the lowest moment perhaps that we've seen

in the tournament but as an overall product Stefan you say no longer does the word need to be spread how much has the last four weeks done that? How much has this been a real sea-change in how the women's games viewed. I don't know if it's been a sea change. It's just been the next step in the evolution of the game. So we've gradually seen lots of different international boards

put an investment into their women's team, seen value in growing the women's game. And that has been shown that investment has borne fruit in this tournament. We knew that Australia were really, really strong. We knew that England took women's cricket seriously. We knew that there were other countries like South. Africa and New Zealand that were growing the women's game. But this was the first time on a global stage, really, that we'd seen the progress

the likes of Pakistan and Bangladesh have made. And the tournament is all the richer for it. And what the women's game will continue to do, it's basically now poised to go absolutely through the roof, not just internationally when you think of all the different competitions that are coming up over the next decade or so, everything that is organized by the ICC World Cup, T20 World Cups is going to be a women's champions trophy. Cricket is coming to the Commonwealth Games, but all of the domestic tournaments that are going to be played as well.

So the WBBL in Australia is established. The 100 last year was a fantastic success, probably more so for women's cricket than it was for men's. And we know that there's a Pakistan Super League coming. There's a Caribbean Premier League coming. Hopefully one day, in the very near future, there'll be an Indian Premier League coming as well. And like I say, well, I guess it's not actually what I said.

I refer back to something that Alex actually drew out of Nassussein on the Nobles podcast. Don't worry about people who don't feel the benefit or see the benefit of women's cricket. That doesn't matter. The fact is that the game is here and it is absolutely spectacular and fascinating and has its own different layers and levels of intrigue if you want to be interested in it. And that's all that matters. you'd agree with that Alex You know I think this World Cup

It has stood up for itself Yes You know we we as cricket players Want male players to get behind us And tweet about us And show that they're watching the game And all sorts of these things But actually this World Cup has stood up for itself throughout

It's they've shown interest The fact that now it's on free to air TV We're on 5 Live It's just a really exciting moment For women's cricket and where it can go Right then favorite moments biggest disappointment Stefan what's been your your standout moment anything to do with baby Fatima the daughter of Bismar Maroof and if that sounds like a little bit

tweet it's not because it's indicative of the fact there were eight mothers taking part in this tournament more than there ever have been and again it's just another evolution of the women's game of how fantastic it is that women feel like they can go away step away from the game for a little while have children, come back and be able to compete at the highest level because they are supported to do so by their teams and by their governing bodies. There's been fantastic action on the pitch, but I personally have been entertained any time I've seen Baby Fatima on the TV.

It has been lovely to see her, hasn't it? Throughout and the cameras were always on her, and she was so sweet. I've changed my favourite moment for when we spoke off air. My favourite moment has sort of been a passage of play throughout the competition of, it's still Sophie Eccleston. I think she's a fantastic bowler, but the turnaround she's had from the first game of bowling 10 overs,

none for 77, to be a leading wicket taker for England in a World Cup ever. I think it just shows her great determination and the skill that she has. Not necessarily one of England's favourite moments, but it was an important step on their journey to reaching the World Cup final.

That game at Eden Park, one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, or sports stadiums in the world, and this hostile, aggressive, atmosphere in the rain, drama, final wicket stand, England needing eight to win, getting over the line and keeping their World Cup dream alive. It had absolutely everything for me, and that was just such a special moment. It's a moment that felt that this is a really big sporting event. When Anya Shrubsole hit the four through the covers to bring the scores level, knowing that

England at least had a super over and were not going out of the World Cup yet, I've never ever punch the air in the press box before and I almost put a hole through the window I was that excited it was absolutely fantastic that game for me um will live so long in the memory yeah Alex that was a spectacular it was one of so many close matches it's just every time you think that you know which where the tournament's going something spectacular has been happening it has it's it's been a good tournament it's been an entertaining tournament but but that was just on a different level, wasn't it? And I think it's because we knew that England, if England

lost that final wicket, they were going home. You know, they had to win every single game. They were playing must-win cricket. And I think that's why we were all so nervous and also so excited for what could be what became from that game. And I think, you know, it was an extraordinary passage

of play. There was a couple of things as well, the West Indies did. I mean, I felt any time that Deandra Dotting was involved in any sort of action. She was absolutely box office. The catch she took against England to dismiss Lauren Winfield Hill, the final over against New Zealand. We've talked about an amazing assault on the India bowling up in Hamilton when we thought she was going to play a really extraordinary innings and the West Indies in general.

Can you remember their celebrations when Shrubsoll was bowled in Dunedin, the last wicket to fall and they all ran off towards the dressing room. That was such a fantastic moment and Pakistan bidding the West Indies as well. Their evolution has been great. Biggest disappointment, it feels almost harsh to bring something like that up and the negative because it has been such a brilliant competition. But Alex, you know, there's always something that perhaps could have been a little better. Yeah, I think England starts.

The World Cup was probably the biggest disappointment. And I think all the girls would agree with that. But for me, the loss against the West Indies was my biggest disappointment because West Indies are a team that England should beat regularly. You know, they go into that game or should have gone into that game with so much confidence. I'm pretty sure they did. And the West Indies outplayed them. And that was my biggest disappointment.

It's a real shame that New Zealand didn't reach the last four because of what it would have done for the tournament and how even more momentum would have been carried into the final stages not least because that was the only time that full crowds were allowed into grounds but realistically New Zealand weren't one of the best four teams India should have been one of the best four teams and their failure to reach the semi-finals is a huge blow for the global women's game they should have been one of the top four

they had the chance to get through their final group game against South Africa they looked to have it in their grasp and then Deepty Sharma oversteps that no-ball, what a dramatic time and they went out and if women's cricket is going to absolutely explode on the global stage

then India are going to have to win a competition at some point and to be honest bar the odd moment in this tournament they've been really disappointing yeah and I think the crowd story has been one area where you know If times were different, it would have been wonderful to see the fabulous grass banks around all these grounds packed full. As we've seen in the latter stages, when the restrictions have been lifted,

the tournament started with just 10% of crowd capacity available. And crowds were coming in as many as they could, but it hasn't quite been the festival feel that I think everybody dreamed of. But because of circumstance, we know why that couldn't happen. And that's just part of the way things have been. But it has been brilliant. We've loved every single moment. There have been challenges getting between venues. there have been challenges for England, certainly on the field,

and there have been moments that we will never, ever forget. It has been such a privilege to be here, and it is a World Cup tournament that will live very long in the memory. You're listening to the TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.