IF retirement came now for Alex Hartley - albeit significantly early - she can already claim to have done it all.

After all, it does not get much better than a World Cup win on home soil.

“I’m not sure how you top that,” beamed the 23-year-old off-spinner, who took two wickets in Sunday’s final to help England to Women’s Cricket World Cup glory against India.

“I think that will be the highlight of my career, and it’s only been 12 months.

“It’s definitely not sunk in yet that we’ve won, in front of a packed out Lord’s.

“I was there about 10 years ago with my Dad to do a tour and I remember saying ‘Imagine if I ever got to play here’.

“I’m sure it will hit me at some stage what we’ve achieved.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s fantastic.

“All my family were there and I don’t think they’ve stopped crying yet.”

The pinnacle it may yet prove to be, but Hartley has surely a long way to go to find out.

Full of ambition, she already has one eye on the Ashes in Australia in October, while the Kia Super League is just around the corner, starting on August 10, when the Lancashire bowler will turn out for Surrey Stars.

But for now she is making the most of a 10-day break, and using the time to reflect on being a world champion.

“Apart from winning it, obviously, the highlights were Anya Shrubsole hitting the winning runs against South Africa to get us through to the final,” said Hartley, who thought the task could fall to her as semi-final wickets fell.

“I had my pads on and was next out to bat, thinking I’d have to do it.

“But as soon as she did it I burst into tears.

“I wasn’t upset that I didn’t get the opportunity, I was just so proud of her for doing it.

“The win against Australia was also memorable.

“You could hear a pin drop in the crowd when moments were tense but the supporters picked us up when we needed them.”

Looking ahead to the Ashes Hartley added: “On the back of this tournament and being world champions the pressure will definitely be on us.

“Plus Australia will want to get one back on us for knocking them out of the World Cup.”

But Hartley’s vision stretches beyond personal and team goals.

After becoming the first female to play in the Ribblesdale League she wants to be part of an even bigger legacy, on a national and international scale.

“The World Cup win has been fantastic for the game,” said the former Ribblesdale High School pupil.

“There is talk of cricket going into the Olympics. That’s massive, and as a team we want it to happen.

“It might not happen in my career, but we want to inspire the next generation of girls and boys.

“Over 30 per cent of the crowd were under 16 and it is brilliant to reach out to that audience.”