The 1997 World Cup, hosted in India and sponsored by Hero Honda, featured an unprecedented 11 teams, split into two groups. The tournament began with a stutter, with the first three matches across two days – in Delhi, Agra, and Madras – washed out due to torrential rain. However, the rest of the World Cup produced some excellent cricket.
When play eventually resumed, Denmark produced the first upset, in Mysore. Susanne Neilsen (4-9) led the rout as they bowled out Pakistan for 65, and won by eight wickets. Later, in Hyderabad, Australia bowled out Pakistan in just 82 balls – a world record – for just 27: the entire match did not last 20 overs.
Australia then piled up 412/3 against Denmark at the Bandra-Kurla Complex, largely due to Belinda Clark’s 229 not out, and won by 363 runs. All three were world records. Australia finished the group unbeaten. Along with them, England, South Africa, and Ireland made it to the quarter-finals as well.
New Zealand and India finished Group B without a defeat as well. The match between them ended in a tie. Chasing 177 in Indore, India were 152/4 before losing six wickets for 24 runs.
The four quarter-finals were one-sided affairs, but the semi-finals produced drama. After rain reduced the match to 32 overs, India restricted Australia to 123/7 in Delhi. Unfortunately, they bowled two overs fewer, and had to chase the same total in 30 overs. They finished on 104/9.
Chasing 176 in the other semi-final, in Madras, England were placed comfortably at 100/2. Then they collapsed to 155, largely due to four run outs.
The final, in the enormous Eden Gardens, was played in front of at least 50,000 spectators. Debbie Hockley was eighth out, for 79, but there was little support, as New Zealand were bowled out for 164. A 71-run stand for the second wicket, between Clark and Michelle Goszko, then sealed the chase for Australia.
Outside the boundary line, a young Jhulan Goswami spent the day as ball girl, watching Cathryn Fitzpatrick bowl. She became more determined to play for India.
Despite the outcome, Hockley was named Player of the Match in the final, as she was in the semi-final. She also finished with most runs (456). By virtue of her double hundred, Clark ended only 11 runs behind. Katrina Withers of New Zealand was the leading wicket-taker, with 13 wickets, one more than Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s tally.
Semi-final: Australia 123/7 in 32 overs (Joanne Broadbent 33; Pramila Bhatt 3-25) beat India 104/9 in 30 overs (Chanderkanta Kaul 48; Cathryn Fitzpatrick 3-18) by 19 runs. Player of the Match: Cathryn Fitzpatrick.
Semi-final: New Zealand 175/6 in 50 overs (Debbie Hockley 43; Karen Smithies 3-40) beat England 155 in 47.5 overs (Jan Brittin 32; Clare Nicholson 2-29) by 20 runs. Player of the Match: Debbie Hockley.
Final: New Zealand 164 in 49.3 overs (Debbie Hockley 79; Karen Rolton 2-25) lost to Australia 165/5 in 47.4 overs (Belinda Clark 52; Katrina Keenan 2-23, Kathryn Ramel) by 5 wickets with 14 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Debbie Hockley.
Australia won the World Cup.
Most runs: Debbie Hockley (New Zealand, 456), Belinda Clark (Australia, 445), Charlotte Edwards (England, 365)
Most wickets: Katrina Withers (New Zealand, 13), Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia, 12), Olivia Magno (Australia, 11), Melissa Raynard (England, 11)