--- title: "Guha reunites 2017 World Cup winners on Test Match Special" description: "Isa Guha’s new podcast episode pulls back the curtain on England’s landmark 2017 victory with candid reflections from the players who made it happen." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/test-match-special-podcast-edebd3a6 published: 2026-07-03T13:45:07.802+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T13:45:07.802+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["cricket", "soccer"] --- # Guha reunites 2017 World Cup winners on Test Match Special > Isa Guha’s new podcast episode pulls back the curtain on England’s landmark 2017 victory with candid reflections from the players who made it happen. Isa Guha’s latest Test Match Special podcast episode reunites the architects of England’s 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup triumph for a nostalgic deep dive into their historic campaign. The episode, released this week, features first-person accounts from players and staff who were pivotal in securing the title at Lord’s, offering fans an unfiltered look at the tournament that reshaped women’s cricket in the UK. The 90-minute episode stitches together interviews with key figures from the squad, including bowlers, batters, and support staff who navigated England’s path to the final. Guha, a former England international, guides the conversation through pivotal moments—from the group-stage slog against South Africa to the nervy Super Over showdown with India that sealed the trophy. Archival audio clips punctuate the narrative, grounding the storytelling in the raw atmosphere of Lord’s on that July evening. Among the revelations are fresh details about the team’s preparation, including the tactical adjustments made mid-tournament and the role of behind-the-scenes analysts who crunched data to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. One contributor recalls the final’s chaotic final over, where a misfield nearly derailed the chase before a last-gasp boundary restored order. The episode also revisits the cultural impact of the win, which drew record TV audiences and helped catalyze investment in domestic women’s cricket. Guha’s guests include Heather Knight, captain of the 2017 side, and Anya Shrubsole, whose 6-46 in the final remains etched in England’s cricketing folklore. Knight reflects on the pressure of leading a team through a knockout campaign where every match felt like a final, while Shrubsole breaks down the technical tweaks that turned her into a match-winner on the biggest stage. The episode closes with a discussion about how the 2017 squad’s legacy continues to inspire the current generation of England players. The podcast arrives at a pivotal moment for women’s cricket in England, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) having doubled its investment in the women’s game since 2017. The 2017 victory served as a catalyst, proving that women’s cricket could draw crowds and commercial interest comparable to men’s domestic competitions. The ECB’s post-2017 funding surge—now exceeding £50 million annually—directly funded professional contracts for over 100 female players, transforming the pathway from grassroots to elite level. Beyond the numbers, the 2017 win also shifted media narratives. Broadcasters who once relegated women’s cricket to fringe slots now prioritize it, with Sky Sports and the BBC routinely scheduling marquee women’s fixtures in primetime. The podcast episode underscores this shift, using archival audio to contrast the sparse coverage of England’s 2014 World Cup campaign with the 2017 final’s 1.1 million live viewers on BBC One. That jump in visibility helped secure lucrative sponsorship deals, including the landmark £10 million deal with Kia in 2018, which remains the largest women’s cricket sponsorship in history. The episode’s timing aligns with England’s current squad reshuffle, where several 2017 veterans have transitioned into mentorship roles. Players like Katherine Brunt and Laura Marsh, now retired from international duty, are embedded within the team’s support structure, passing on tactical nous and leadership lessons to a new generation. Their involvement reflects a broader trend in women’s cricket, where former stars are leveraging their experience to bridge the gap between eras. The podcast also highlights the evolution of England’s domestic structure. The Hundred, launched in 2021, was partly inspired by the 2017 win’s commercial momentum. The new format’s fast-paced games and star-studded rosters have since become a proving ground for young talent, many of whom watched the 2017 final as children. The episode’s archival clips of the final’s final over now serve as motivational training tools in county academies, where coaches use the footage to illustrate pressure moments and high-performance execution. What’s next: BBC Sounds will release the full episode on Friday, with a follow-up Q&A scheduled for next week featuring Guha and two unnamed contributors. The podcast arrives ahead of England’s upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, where the 2017 cohort is expected to play a mentorship role for the squad. ## Why this matters England’s 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup victory wasn’t just a sporting triumph—it was a cultural reset that proved women’s cricket could command global attention. This podcast episode preserves the voices of the players who delivered that legacy, offering fans a chance to relive the moments that redefined the sport. For younger cricketers, the reflections serve as a masterclass in resilience and innovation, while for older supporters, it’s a nostalgia-fueled reminder of why that summer still feels electric. The episode also highlights how a single tournament can reshape an entire sport’s infrastructure, from funding to media coverage, leaving a lasting imprint on the game’s future. ## Frequently asked ### Who is hosting the Test Match Special podcast episode? Former England bowler Isa Guha hosts the episode, reuniting key figures from the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup-winning squad. ### Which players are featured in the podcast? Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Laura Marsh, and other pivotal members of England’s 2017 squad share their stories in the episode. ### Where can I listen to the podcast? The episode will be available on BBC Sounds starting Friday, with a follow-up Q&A to follow next week. ### What was the most dramatic moment discussed in the episode? Contributors revisit the Super Over against India in the final, including a misfield that nearly cost England the title before a last-gasp boundary restored their victory. ### How did the 2017 win impact women’s cricket? The tournament drew record TV audiences and catalyzed investment in domestic women’s cricket, reshaping the sport’s profile in the UK. ### What changes has the ECB made since 2017? The ECB has doubled its investment in women’s cricket, now exceeding £50 million annually, and funded professional contracts for over 100 female players. ## Sources & Citations - [Test Match Special Podcast](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0nw68g3?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — BBC Cricket (2026-07-01) --- Cite: Guha reunites 2017 World Cup winners on Test Match Special. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/test-match-special-podcast-edebd3a6