Women's World Cup, 2008-09

At North Sydney Oval, Sydney, March 22, 2009. England won by four wickets. Toss: New Zealand.

	A triumphant England team © Getty Images Enlarge
Related Links Matches: England Women v New Zealand Women at North Sydney Series/Tournaments: ICC Women's World Cup Teams: England | New Zealand

The star of the World Cup final didn't even know she was playing until minutes before the start. Vice-captain Nicky Shaw was recalled when Jenny Gunn pulled out unfit, and burst forth with a career-best four for 34 "to prove a point" - though she rightly gave credit to Katherine Brunt's pressure-building opening spell. Haidee Tiffen said later she didn't regret choosing to bat in swinging conditions, but once England made the breakthrough - a blinding gully catch by Claire Taylor to remove Kate Pulford - the New Zealanders panicked against the moving ball. They wobbled to 101 for seven before Lucy Doolan and Nicola Browne added 63, which eventually lifted the total to 166. It looked far from enough while Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor were trampling their way to another strong opening stand, 74 in 17 overs, helped by short and loose bowling. Then NewZealand's two off-spinners kicked up and the batting trembles kicked in. Sarah Taylor clipped to midwicket in Doolan's second over; Aimee Mason bowled the player of the tournament, Claire Taylor; and Doolan went on to shoot down Atkins, taken at point, and captain Charlotte Edwards, judged caught behind against the evidence. New Zealand kept up the attack, but England's later batsmen held their nerve; Holly Colvin caressed the winning run, with Shaw her fitting accomplice as Edwards burst into tears on the boundary.

Player of the Match: N. J. Shaw. Player of the Series: S. C. Taylor.