England women rule Wisden's ‘cricketers of the year’ list

LONDON, Apr 11 (AFP): The England women's trio of Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole has all been selected among Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in a landmark move by the sport's 'bible'.

Only two female cricketers -- Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards, Knight's immediate predecessor as England captain -- had previously won an award dating back to 1899.

But Knight, Sciver and Shrusbole's contributions to England's 2017 World Cup triumph, culminating in a dramatic win over India in a sold-out final at Lord's, saw them honoured by the Almanack.

Shrubsole, who turned the final on its head by taking five for 11 on her way to figures of six for 46 as India suffered a stunning collapse, also became the first woman on the front cover of Wisden, an annual record of the previous year's cricket around the world, in its 155th edition.

West Indies batsman Shai Hope and Essex bowler Jamie Porter were also chosen for the award.

Meanwhile India captains Virat Kohli and Mithali Raj were named as the leading men's and women's cricketers in the world respectively.

Kohli won his award for the second year in a row, while Raj was acknowledged after a year in which she became the leading run-scorer in women's one-day internationals during India's run to the World Cup final.