OTD | 2009 England’s women picked up their third World Cup win

On March 22, 2009, England Women went on to win their third Women’s World Cup, beating a strong New Zealand side in the final in Sydney. This was a comfortable victory for the Lionesses, with four wickets in hand, after bundling out the White Ferns for a paltry 166.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, New Zealand were slow to start, losing their first wicket in the eight over. A key point in the innings for England came in the 12th over, when medium-pacer Nicky Shaw picked up the wickets of the dangerous Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite in successive deliveries with the score reading 49/3.

New Zealand soon found themselves reeling at 101/7, with Shaw picking up two more wickets, becoming the first bowler to pick up four wickets in a Women’s World Cup final. The eighth-wicket stand of 62 runs between Lucy Doolan and Nicola Browne pushed the White Ferns to 166. Doolan top-scored with 48 runs from 52 balls.

In contrast, England started their chase comfortably, with openers Sarah Tayor and Caroline Atkins putting on 74 runs, before Taylor was dismissed by Doolan. This brought the tournament’s form-batter Claire Taylor onto the crease, who was dismissed for 21. After Atkins was dismissed for 40 with the score at 111/3, England lost three more wickets cheaply, including that of captain Charlotte Edwards, who was adjudged out caught-behind when she had not touched the ball.

The scoring rate slowed down after the skipper’s dismissal, with Lydia Greenway top-edging one to mid-wicket and Beth Morgan running herself out. But bowling-innings star Nicky Shaw led them over the line, with four wickets to spare, remaining unbeaten on 17. Lucy Doolan picked up three England wickets – those of Sarah Taylor, Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards, to add to her contributions with the bat.

This was England’s first World Cup triumph since 1993. Nicky Shaw was adjudged the Player of the Match for her 4/34 with the ball. Shaw had come into the team for the summit clash as a last-minute injury replacement for premier all-rounder Jenny Gunn. Claire Taylor was adjudged the Player-of-the-Tournament, for her 324 runs, which included a century against Sri Lanka.

The game saw the two best sides in the competition but what promised to be a close contest, ended up massively favouring the team that stepped up. England were clinical with the ball, sharp in the field and punished New Zealand’s poor bowling with the bat. Their experience counted most when it mattered, against a spirited New Zealand side.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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