PERCHED on the top of the Mound Stand at Lord’s, Father Time has inevitably been in the presence of sporting greatness since its instalment in the 1920s.

But no one could have predicted the drama that unfolded on Sunday in north-west London as England were crowned ICC World Cup champions for the first time.

Eoin Morgan’s men defeated New Zealand – also chasing their first world crown – in a dramatic super over, which was made necessary after both teams scored 241 runs from their respective 50 overs.

Ben Stokes and Jos Butler scored 15 runs from England’s six additional deliveries, New Zealand matched that – but a greater number of boundaries in the game’s entirety granted the host nation World Cup glory.

And Wiltshire can be proud of the input it had on ‘bringing cricket home’.

Steeple Ashton’s James Vince took two catches as a substitute fielder in Sunday’s final, while Calne’s Liam Dawson was a part of the 15-man England squad that captured the nation’s imagination.

One man that couldn’t be prouder of both players’ efforts is long-serving Wiltshire Cricket chairman Chris Sheppard.

He said: “James might not have performed to his best when in the XI, but the point is that he was involved.

“It’s a squad effort, not just the XI out there. Both James and Liam are a great example for Wiltshire cricket and what can happen.

“There are two great things about Sunday’s World Cup win.

“Firstly, the competition was back on free-to-air television – the audience was massive.

“The second is cricket benefitting from this remarkable achievement. You won’t get a more thrilling climax to any sporting event than what occurred as Lord’s – it was indescribable.”

Sheppard now wants England’s triumph at the home of cricket to inspire the next generation of young batters, bowlers and fielders through the ECB’s All Stars Cricket programme.

It encourages entry level participation, aimed at providing children aged five to eight with a welcoming first experience in cricket.

Wiltshire is one of the leading counties nationwide with regards to participation levels, something Sheppard takes immense pride from.

He added: “We’re not going to sit back and hope people knock on our door and visit clubs. Clubs can now actively go out and try to get more people involved.

“Hopefully, the youngsters will now aspire to be like them – going from holding the plastic bat as a kid to playing at the top.

“I’ve been going to Lord’s for three decades now, and it still takes my breath away when I walk through the Long Room.

“You couldn’t have written a novel for an ending like that – especially at the home of cricket. It was fantastic.”

Two young players from Goatacre Cricket Club – for whom Dawson used to play – also created memories on the day as they carried the World Cup trophy onto the ground at the start of play.

Identical twins Thomas and George Lewis, who attend Hardenhuish School in Chippenham, also got to meet cricket legends and World Cup winners Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh and Clive Lloyd as part of the experience.