GOALKEEPER Anita Thorose is calling on the people of High Wycombe to turn out and cheer England to glory when the Lacrosse World Cup comes to Wycombe next month.

The Wycombe-based shot stopper, who has also played cricket for England, believes the town's support could help propel England to their first ever Women's World Cup triumph.

She said: “They really could be like an extra player to us if they get behind us.”

England have finished in the medal positions at the last three World Cups but the top prize has always eluded them.

They finished third in the last World Cup behind champions America and second placed Australia.

But the 31-year-old from Gordon Road believes that could change this time round. England beat Australia 2-1 in a recent Test series and confidence is high in the camp, although the Americans remain the team to beat. Thorose said: “If we play well anything can happen. I really think we have got a chance of winning it. We have got an amazing opportunity here. We've got home advantage and if we could win the World Cup it would be brilliant.” Thorose was left out of England's final squad of 16 for the last World Cup finals in Tokyo four years ago, after taking part in the previous training squads, but she is firmly established as England's top goalkeeper now and can't wait to get in the thick of the action.

She said: “This is probably my last chance and I really want to make the most of it.”

She has more reason than most to want to do well. Her international cricket career ended without a cap to put on the mantlepiece, leaving her with plenty of room for a World Cup winner's lacrosse medal instead. Thorose was selected to play as wicket keeper for the England women's cricket side and played in tour matches on trips to both India and Ireland but the games she played in did not count as full internationals, so she was never awarded a cap and was not picked after that. She said: “That was disappointing but I've got the chance to do something special now. It is a great honour to play for your country and the thought of playing for England in a World Cup is something I can't really put into words.”

She can expect to have a huge part to play as she is the only goalkeeper in the squad.

Most of the matches in the eight-nations final will be played at Wycombe Abbey School with the third and fourth place play-offs and the final taking place at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park ground on July 14. Thorose said: “I just can't wait for it to start. I get butterflies just driving past Wycombe Abbey School at the moment.”