Anya Shrubsole's father elated at daughter featuring on Wisden cover

[caption id="attachment_701801" align="aligncenter" width="628"] Anya Shrubsole Getty Images[/caption]

England's Anya Shrubsole became the first women cricketer to appear on Wisden cover after heroics in the 2017 World Cup final against India with figures of 6 for 46. She had also hit the winning runs in a tense semi-final against South Africa. A photo of the 26-year-old graced the famous yellow jacket of the 155th edition of the Almanack, which has been published every year since 1864.

Shrubsole already expressed her excitement on being featured in the magazine. But it is her father who is over the moon. In a chat with pakobserver.net, Ian Shrubsole mentioned how happy and proud he was on his daughter being named Wisden Cricketer of the Year: "It has been an incredible year for Anya and possibly one that will never be matched in terms of awards and accolades. We are a very close family who have all been delighted to share the excitement of her achievements and celebrate all the things which have come her way."

On gracing the cover, Ian added: "To any cricket enthusiast/aficionado, Wisden has a very special place in their world. It s publication, the 5 cricketers of the year announcement and- more recently- the cover photograph are truly significant things. Anya is a real student of the game and will know just how fantastic it is on the cover in 2018.She is also a very calm and realistic person who will know that as good as things were for her in 2018 and in particular the World Cup final."

The Almanack, a comprehensive chronicling of the game over the past 12 months, was published on April 12.