ANYA Shrubsole was named England Women's player of the year earlier this week, but front-runner for the vacant captain’s role Heather Knight insists the Somerset star is only just getting started.

In a difficult year for the England Women’s team that has left new head coach Mark Robinson with a rebuilding job to do ahead of next year’s World Cup on home soil, Shrubsole has been a bright spark.

The 24-year-old took 32 wickets across three formats, including 4 for 63 in the Women's Ashes Test and 4 for 11 against the same opposition in a T20 in Cardiff.

Shrubsole also bagged a four-wicket haul against South Africa in an ODI in Benoni and that saw her follow up September’s award for England's player of the summer with her first ever player of the year gong.

As England prepare for the upcoming One-Day International Series against Pakistan that kicks off on June 20 they have been shaken with the retirement of their captain Charlotte Edwards, as well as the news that wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor is taking an indefinite break from the sport.

But Knight, who is considered by many to be favourite for the captain role vacated by Edwards, is glad to still have Shrubsole to call upon.

“Anya has been brilliant, she has really matured as a bowler, not just in the last year but the last few years to be honest,” Knight said.

“She has got one of the best cricket brains of people I know and seeing her develop and perform more consistently has been great.

“I have known her for a long time, we both grew up in the West Country and will be looking forward to playing with her later in the season for the Western Storm.

“She is a very skilful bowler and hopefully she continues to do as well as she has done over the last few years.”

New head coach Robinson is certainly not afraid to make bold decisions, with the former Sussex head coach instigating Edwards’ retirement as he bids to give youth a chance.

And Knight is adamant that the future of women’s cricket in England is in safe hands with Shrubsole and co.

“The new set-up, the coaching staff have come in and been brilliant and it shows the potential of where we could go as a team over the next year or so,” Knight added.

“It’s exciting and I guess with the recent news of Charlotte retiring and Sarah potentially having a bit of a break, will give a lot of our younger players – particularly the batters – an opportunity to stand up and take that chance to perform on the international stage.

“For me it’s massively exciting and for the rest of the team they’re really excited by what’s to come. It will be slightly different, and a challenge, but as professional sportspeople that is what excites us and what we work towards.”

Heather Knight was speaking at a Royal London event, showcasing their support of the Women’s game and the upcoming One-Day International Series against Pakistan. For more information visit www.royallondoncricket.com