The second Women’s World Cup, in 1978, had to be pulled out of South Africa in the aftermath of the Gleneagles Agreement of 1977. West Indies and Holland pulled out on financial grounds, reducing the tournament to four teams.
Three of these were England, Australia, and New Zealand, who occupied the top three positions in the inaugural World Cup. The fourth, India, yet to play an ODI, won the rights to host the tournament. As in 1973, the tournament was played in a round-robin league.
However, the tournament turned out to be a farce. Madras, scheduled to host the last match, pulled out; it was shifted to Hyderabad. Rachael Heyhoe Flint, England captain and the driving force behind the first World Cup, was left out for no obvious reason. Shantha Rangaswamy, the first Indian Test captain, was left out as well. She commentated in the two Hyderabad matches.
England and Australia beat New Zealand and India comfortably. In fact, India were bowled out for 63 against England and 79 against Australia. Against New Zealand, they reached 130/9, but lost by nine wickets.
Their lack of experience in the format was apparent. There were other struggles too. Ahead of the Australia match, the Indian team refused to take field until they were paid their dues.
Like the previous edition, the last match, in Hyderabad, turned out to be the virtual final. Led by Sharon Tredrea (4-25), Australia restricted England to 96/8 in their full 50 overs. In response, Glynis Hullah reduced Australia to 6/2, but Margaret Jennings and Jannette Tredrea saw them home without further damage.
Jennings, captain and wicketkeeper of Australia, finished as the leading run-scorer, with 127 runs. Barbara Bevege of New Zealand finished a run behind her, while Lynne Thomas, who had finished third on the runs chart in 1973, was the only other batter to cross the 100-run mark. Australia dominated the wickets chart too, with Sharyn Hill and Sharon Tredrea sharing two of the top three spots.
Entirely played in round-robin league format. Last (and decisive) league match: England 96/8 in 50 overs (Shirley Hodges 26*; Sharon Tredrea 4-25) lost to Australia 100/2 in 31.3 overs (Margaret Jennings 57*; Glynnis Hullah 2-9) by 8 wickets with 111 balls to spare.
Australia won the World Cup.
Most runs: Margaret Jennings (Australia, 127), Barbara Bevege (New Zealand, 126), Lynne Thomas (England, 109)
Most wickets: Sharyn Hill (Australia, 7), Sharon Tredrea (Australia, 6), Pat Carrick (New Zealand, 6)