AN unsung hero at a Wilmslow cricket club is to be rewarded for her efforts.

One cricket-loving mum is to receive two tickets to the ICC Women’s World Cup Final in London.

Joanna Espley, 48, was nominated for the ticket giveaway by parents and colleagues at Lindow Cricket Club as a sign of their gratitude for her hard work in boosting the junior section of the club.

The stay-at-home mum champions the sport to all and has played a pivotal role in seeing participation figures grow by 75 per cent over the past two years.

Espley has been the catalyst for great change at Lindow, introducing breakfast clubs, trips to watch Lancashire CCC and the addition of girls’ cricket, but she is quick to insist she is only doing as anyone else would do.

“I’ve got two boys, Max and Will, who got interested in playing cricket about six years ago, so I signed them up to Lindow and at the time the numbers were extremely low. They were struggling to get one team out,” she said.

“For the first couple of years, I was just a mum who had never had an interest in cricket before. But I started to enjoy the game, learned how to score and got involved with the club.

“A couple of years ago, the then junior secretary wanted someone to step into her shoes, so I said I would do it.

“From struggling to get one team out all those years ago, this year we’re looking at about 160 children across all age groups.

“It’s just grown from strength-to-strength. We’ve got 14 junior teams – I help liaise with the managers and give them guidance, but we also organise other events for the children throughout the year.

“It is a wonderful atmosphere, and my children have received so much guidance and encouragement. To see your child doing something they enjoy, and seeing the smiles on their faces, is fantastic.”

Espley was nominated by club secretary Adam Bull, who said: “Joanna is the heartbeat and smiling face of Lindow Cricket Club. A perfect ambassador for the club, and cricket, in the local area, championing the game to all, no matter of age, gender, ethnicity or ability.

“She works tirelessly to make everyone feel welcome, including introducing tuck shops, breakfast clubs, trips to watch Lancashire, the introduction of girls’ cricket and now All Stars Cricket.”

The ICC Women’s World Cup runs in England and Wales from June 24 to July 23, taking place in Taunton, Bristol, Leicester and Derby before culminating in a showcase final at Lord’s.

It is the first time the tournament has been played on British shores since 1993, with England lifting the trophy on both previous occasions it has taken place on home soil, and Espley can’t wait for the action to unfold.

“I was absolutely delighted to learn I had won the tickets. I was touched because you don’t do it for the recognition, you do it to see smiles on children’s faces and for their families too,” she said.

“The fact that the club has thought to nominate me is so overwhelming because it wasn’t something I was expecting. I was really, really pleased.

“I’m hopeful that the Women’s World Cup will be a huge success. It’s something we are trying to encourage at our club.

“We’ve just started a girls’ training session. Last Wednesday was our first session of the season and we had 24 girls there.

“I’ve had enquiries from many more, and we ran a girls’ festival at the weekend, so I’m hoping the tournament will encourage more and more women and girls to get into the sport. I’m really looking forward to it, and I think it is an exciting time for women’s cricket.”

The ICC Women’s World Cup 24 June-23 July will see the best women’s ODI teams in the world compete for ultimate glory this summer. Tickets available at icc-cricket.com/tickets