Monday, March 23, 2009

England Lifts ICC Women’s World Cup 2009

England won the ICC Women’s World Cup title after beating New Zealand by four wickets in a low scoring final at Sydney on March 22, 2009. It was the third title for England.
New Milestone for Shaw
England’s all-rounder Nicky Shaw,who became the first bowler to claim four wickets in the final of an World Cup, helped her team crashing New Zealand for 166 in 47.2 overs, before achieving the target with 23 balls to spare. Shaw also reached her best ODI figure of 4-34.
New Zealand captain Haidee Tiffen won the toss and asked her English counterpart Charlotte Edwards to field first. The black caps suffered an early jolt when opener Kate Pulford (8) was dismissed cheaply by England pacer Isa Guha on the eighth over.Both the England opening bowlers, Katherine Brunt and Isa Guha extracted early morning movement to baffle the batters who were failing to middle the ball with alarming regularity. Nicky came in action as the first-change bowler for England and soon struck by sending back Suzie Bates (2) and Amy Satterthwaite (0) in the twelfth over, leaving New Zealand struggling at 49 for three. Nicky’s immaculate line and length continued to trouble the New Zealand bowlers as she bagged her third wicket by dismissing second opener, skipper Haidee, who was in defiant mood while playing a smart 30 run-innings off 56 balls, before wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor pouched her well.New Zealand’s run-rate failed to soar high as they kept losing wickets in regular intervals.
When the Kiwis were languishing at 101 for seven, Lucy Doolan (48) joined hands with Nicola Browne and stitched together a 63-run partnership to set a timely recovery. As the Kiwis were moving towards posting a good total with the eighth wicket partnership, Nicky again hampered the rhythm of the Kiwis on 46th over, when her delivery found Nicola’s (25) leg in front of the sticks.
Nicky was later adjudged Payer of the Match, while her teammate Claire Taylor was named Player of the Tournament.
India Gets Third Position
India beat Australia by three wickets in the match for third place on March 21, 2009, ensuring the hosts posted their worst performance at any Women’s World Cup. This was India's second victory over the defending champions whom they had earlier beaten by 16 runs in the Super Six stage.

The Indian bowlers ran through the Australian batting order, bundling the hosts for 142 in 44.4 overs with just three batters - captain Karen Rolton (52), Lisa Sthalekar (30) and Alex Blackwell (19) -- managing double digit scores. India's chase was not a smooth sailing either and they faltered and fumbled before eventually reaching 145 for seven wickets in 43.5 overs in the tie which was reduced to 46-overs-a-side following rain. For the winners, Sulakshana Naik topscored with 28 while Rumeli Dhar (24) and Jhulan (18) steered the side to victory with an unbeaten 41-run stand. Rumeli was adjudged the Player of the Match for her all-round display.

It was the first time in nine tournaments Australia has finished lower than third and the first time they had lost three times in the one tournament.

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