England cricketer Stuart Broad was awarded second place at the ceremony, with world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson coming third. Wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, golf star McIlroy and jockey Dettori were also shortlisted for the public-voted award.
Speaking after her success, Earps said: “I feel a bit sick actually! I’m humbled to be on a list of incredible athletes. It’s not been the easiest journey and I wouldn’t be where I am today without such incredible people in my corner. In 2019, after the World Cup, that was the last time I played for England. I stayed out of the England team for quite some time. All these happy memories of the game that I loved didn’t make any sense anymore.
“It felt like I had lost my purpose in life. If Sarina hadn’t called me up, I never expected to play for England again. There was a time in my life where I thought I would never put on an England shirt again and suddenly I am representing my country at a World Cup. I just feel so grateful that I was able to play for my country on the world stage and enjoy it as much as I did.”
