Southern Vipers lifted the Charlotte Edwards Cup at New Road as they beat Blaze by seven wickets to win the competition for the second year in a row.

A Danni Wyatt half-century propelled the Vipers’ chase of 114, and fittingly it was captain Georgia Adams who hit the winning runs for her team to ensure the Vipers defended their title.

Adams was also named Player of the Tournament for her efforts across the domestic campaign, while Vipers stalwart Anya Shrubsole signed off from regional cricket on a high, lifting the trophy and earning the Player of the Match award as she announced after the game that she was retiring at the end of the season and had played her last game for the Vipers.

Shrubsole had earlier taken 2-24, a typically skilful spell of four overs that was split over yesterday’s scheduled final and today’s reserve day, with a thunderstorm bringing everyone back this morning to take the final to its close with Blaze poised on 53-4 overnight.

Shrubsole attributed the Vipers win, in part, to their know-how, having triumphed in the competition before: “I think our experience was a factor in the final. We were in a really strong position before it absolutely launched it down yesterday, having got them to 50-4, and it’s always tricky to come back as a batting team and start again.”

For the former England seamer, who will take part in The Hundred this year before hanging up her boots, it brings to an end a domestic career that begun in 2004.

“It’s hard to put an exact date on when I made the decision, to be honest with you. I think through the course of this tournament it just became clear to me that my time was up.

“I carried on playing because I really enjoy playing, but I guess the pain element of it – if I’m being totally honest – made it not particularly enjoyable at times, so in lots of ways it was a pretty easy decision to call it a day at the end of this year.

“I feel very lucky to have played the last few seasons with this group, because they’re an exceptional team and an exceptional bunch of people.”

Shrubsole, a two-time ICC Women’s World Cup winner and two-time Ashes winner, was awarded an MBE after bowling her side to a famous and dramatic victory off the back of record figures (6-46) at Lord’s in 2017.

The 30-year-old, who started her domestic career for Somerset, played 173 games for her country across all formats, claiming 227 wickets. She finishes fourth on the list of England’s ODI wicket-takers, and bows out as England’s current top IT20 wicket-taker.

She captained her country once, and in 2018 she became the first woman ever to appear on the front cover of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. She will continue to play domestic cricket in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Charlotte Edwards Cup and The Hundred.

Shrubsole said: “I feel immensely privileged to have been able to represent my country for the past 14 years. To have been involved in women’s cricket at a time of such growth has been an honour but it has become clear to me that it is moving forward faster than I can keep up with, so it is time for me to step away.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be lucky enough to play for England for so long, I’d have been happy with one game. There have been many ups and downs along the way but it was all worth it to be able to lift the ICC Women’s World Cup at Lord’s in 2017.

“There have been so many people who have supported me along the way and I want to thank them all for everything they have done, but most of all I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my family. They have been with me every step of the way and I simply couldn’t have done it without them.”

ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “Anya has been the most tremendous servant to English cricket, and to women’s cricket specifically.

“For 14 years she has given everything for the team so it is fitting that her reasons for retiring are so selfless. In her last game for England – the ICC Women’s World Cup final in Christchurch – Anya was the team’s stand-out performer with the ball, just as she was on that magical day at Lord’s in 2017 when England women lifted the World Cup.

“Her longevity, skill and impact with the new and old ball are testament to her work ethic and commitment over so many years.

“Aside from her genius with the ball, Anya was the perfect teammate – selfless, dedicated, thoughtful and kind. She has already dedicated 14 years to England Women’s cricket and I know that she will continue to have a huge impact on the game post-playing.

“Anya loves the game as much as anyone I’ve ever met and we look forward to retaining her expertise and passion as she embarks on her next chapter.

“We thank her for everything she has done, for every girl she has inspired, and wish her all the best for what comes next.”

With thanks to the ECB

While Western Storm’s second game – against Loughborough Lightning at Taunton on Saturday August 12 – may also come too soon for Shrubsole, it is hoped that she will recover in time to play a full part against Yorkshire Diamonds on Sunday August 20.

Report courtesy of the ECB

Pictured above: Anya Shrubsole playing for England in WWC

The Somerset opening bowler was side-lined for the first two ODIs with a left side strain and had targeted a return to action for the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs against the hosts, which have got underway at Sabina Park in Kingston today.

However, since returning to training Shrubsole has developed severe joint pain in her neck and will now miss all five matches of the series.  She will return home to the UK for further assessment and treatment in the next few days, and at this stage will not be replaced in the England women’s squad.

England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, said: “It is disappointing news that Anya won’t be available for any of the matches during this tour, and I know how frustrated she is that she won’t get the chance to make an impact on the series and contribute to the team.  But we have already shown what a versatile bowling attack we have in the first couple of matches out here, so I am sure that the players will all continue to work hard together and put in some strong performances in these final three games.”

After two matches the series is evenly poised at 1-1, with the final three ODIs forming England’s sixth round of matches in the ICC Women’s Championship – the qualification tournament for the ICC Women’s World Cup in England in 2017.  The first of these matches is taking place today at Sabina Park, Kingston, with the last two at the same venue on 16^th and 19^th October.

Report courtesy of the ECB

The Somerset opening bowler sustained a left side strain during the team’s warm-up match against a Jamaican representative eleven yesterday (Thursday 6^th October).  She is now targeting a return to action in time for the final three ODIs against the hosts, which will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston on 14^th, 16^th and 19^th October.

England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, said: “Anya Shrubsole is a world class cricketer and our vice-captain, so of course we want her fit and helping the team to win matches for England.  But her absence from the first two matches here in Montego Bay creates an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up and show what they can do.  The squad is ready and raring to go tomorrow.”

All five of England women’s fixtures against the West Indies will be played in Jamaica during a two-week window, starting tomorrow (Saturday 8^th October) and Monday 10^th October with the first two ODIs at the Trelawny Stadium in the Montego Bay area of the Caribbean island.

The remaining three ODIs will form England’s sixth round of matches in the ICC Women’s Championship – the qualification tournament for the ICC Women’s World Cup in England in 2017 – and will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston on 14^th, 16^th and 19^th October.

England women’s schedule for West Indies tour: 

* ICC Women’s Championship fixture

Report courtesy of the ECB