On this day 11 years ago, England Women won their third ODI World Cup after defeating New Zealand by four wickets at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney.
England had won two previous World Cup’s both on home soil, in 1973 and 1993, but this was their first taste of silverware outside of their own country.
The squad that year was captained by Charlotte Edwards, and included other all-time greats such as Laura Marsh and Sarah Taylor. England entered the tournament as one of the favourites alongside New Zealand, but it was Australia, playing in home conditions themselves, who were considered the side to beat.
The home side were unable to reach the final however, despite beating England in the Super-Six stage of the competition.
Just 2,300 attended the final in total, a far cry from the 86,000 that packed the MCG earlier this month in the T20 World Cup final. Whilst this highlights the extent to which women’s cricket has grown in the past decade, given the lack of recognition for the game back then, it is worth reminiscing about the heroics of Edwards, Taylor and co. on that scorching hot day in Sydney.
New Zealand captain Haidee Tiffen won the toss and opted to bat first. All-rounder Lucy Doolan scored a measured 48 not out, but England restricted the white ferns to just 166 as Nicky Shaw took a career best 4-32 from 8.2 overs. All six England bowlers claimed at least one wicket, including a 23 year old Katherine Brunt, who is still a mainstay of the England side today, as New Zealand were bowled out in just under 48 overs.
In response, England’s opening batters set the tone. Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins scored 39 and 40 respectively, as England raced to 74-0 before Taylor was dismissed. Despite losing Atkins, Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards rather cheaply after that, England comfortably chased down the target with little under four overs remaining. Shaw was named player of the match despite not being included in the original squad, on what was perhaps the best day in English women’s cricket history.
Since then England went on to win another World Cup in 2017, once again in home conditions. Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt, Sarah Taylor and Laura Marsh were all present three years ago as well, but their performances on that day in Sydney in 2009 will never be forgotten.