Australia hosted the 2009 Women’s World Cup, the first edition organised by the International Cricket Council. The International Women’s Cricket Council had merged with the ICC four years ago, just after the previous edition of the World Cup.
As with the two previous editions, there were eight teams. However, this time they were split into two groups. The top three teams from each group featured in the Super Sixes, where each team carried forward their results against the qualified teams.
New Zealand stunned Australia in the first match of Group A. After a rain halt, Australia’s target was adjusted to 146 in 33 overs: they got 132/6. However, both teams qualified easily, as did the West Indies, with a two-wicket win against South Africa.
Group B was relatively easier, with England winning every match easily. India lost to England by nine wickets, but beat Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In the other match, Pakistan scored 161/7 and bowled out Sri Lanka for 104.
India avenged their defeat in the final of the previous edition in the first match of the Super Sixes. Anjum Chopra’s 76 first took them to 234/5. Their bowlers then restricted Australia to 218/7. Australia did beat England, but their defeats against New Zealand and India prevented them from reaching the final, for England started their Super Sixes with a 41-run win against New Zealand.
India, too, were effectively knocked out after New Zealand beat them by five wickets. A huge win against West Indies did not help.
South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for 75 and won by nine wickets to clinch seventh spot. West Indies beat Pakistan by three wickets to finish fifth. And India beat Australia for a second time, in the third-place match. After bowling out Australia for 142, they were reduced to 104/7 before Rumeli Dhar and Jhulan Goswami saw them home.
The final, at the North Sydney Oval, was dominated by Nicky Shaw, who ran through the New Zealand batting line-up with 4-34. New Zealand, 101/7 at one point, were eventually lifted to 166 by No. 9 Lucy Doolan (48).
England openers Sarah Taylor (39) and Carole Atkins (40) then added 74 before Doolan (3-23) hit back again. England kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and New Zealand probably sniffed a chance at 149/6, but Shaw and Holly Calvin saw them through.
Final: New Zealand 166 in 47.2 overs (Lucy Doolan 48; Nicky Shaw 4-34) lost to England 167/6 in 46.1 overs (Caroline Atkins 40; Lucy Doolan 3-23) by 4 wickets with 23 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Nicky Shaw.
England won the World Cup. Player of the Tournament: Claire Taylor.
Most runs: Claire Taylor (England, 324), Haidee Tiffen (New Zealand, 279), Suzie Bates (New Zealand, 275)
Most wickets: Laura Marsh (England, 16), Lisa Sthalekar (Australia, 13), Priyanka Roy (India, 12)
ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 XI: Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Shelley Nitschke (Australia), Claire Taylor (England), Mithali Raj (India), Charlotte Edwards (England, c), Kate Pulford (New Zealand), Sarah Taylor (England, wk), Amita Sharma (India), Katherine Brunt (England), Priyanka Roy (India), Laura Marsh (England), Sophie Devine (New Zealand, substitute).