The 1993 Women’s World Cup, in England, came close to being called off due to lack of funds until the Foundation for Sports and the Arts came forward with GBP 90,000. It turned out to be a success, with a record – at that point – eight teams participating.
The five participants from 1988 – Australia, England, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Netherlands – were there, while India returned after 1982. Though Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica had been there in 1973, West Indies had never played in the Women’s World Cup as a team. Along with Denmark, they made their tournament debut.
The eight teams played in a round-robin league format. England were all their matches, while New Zealand lost only to England. This effectively knocked out Australia, despite them beating every other side. After winning the last three World Cups, Australia could not make it to the final. With four wins, India finished fourth.
The bottom half of the table, however, was replete with interesting outcomes. Ireland expectedly beat Denmark, but a more shocking result came in Staffordshire. From 143/3, Netherlands were bowled out for 158. However, Anita van Lier (4-24) led the rout, and West Indies were shot out for 88.
West Indies (120) beat Denmark (76), but Denmark did win their first World Cup match. They put up 152/7 before their bowlers, led by Susanne Neilsen (3-36), bowled out Netherlands for 122. One curious aspect was that their two frontline Danish bowlers – Pernille Jonsson and Mette Frost – took turns to keep wickets.
About 4,500, including Prime Minister John Major, turned up for the final in Lord’s. England rode on an 85-run second-wicket stand between Jan Brittin (48) and Carole Hodges (45) to reach 195/5. Their bowlers, led by Gillian Smith (3-29), then bowled out New Zealand for 128.
Brittin (410 runs at 51.25) and Hodges (334 at 47.71) were the only batters to cross 250 runs in the tournament. With 15 wickets apiece, Karen Smithies of England and Julie Harris of New Zealand finished as the leading wicket-takers.
England’s win came after the Ashes humiliation of the men’s side at home in the same summer. It got unprecedented (for women’s cricket) front-and-back-page coverage in the leading newspapers.
Final: England 195/5 in 60 overs (Jan Brittin 48; Sarah McLauchlan 2-25) beat New Zealand 128 in 55.1 overs (Maia Lewis 28; Gillian Smith 3-29) by 67 runs. Player of the Match: Jo Chamberlain.
England won the World Cup.
Most runs: Jan Brittin (England, 410), Carole Hodges (England, 334), Helen Plimmer (England, 242)
Most wickets: Karen Smithies (England, 15), Julie Harris (New Zealand, 15), Gillian Smith (England, 14), Diana Edulji (India, 14), Clare Taylor (England, 14)