New South Wales awarded Women's World Cup

New South Wales has beaten Tasmania to the hosting rights for Australia's defence of the 2009 Women's World Cup. Cricket Australia's board chose the state's submission on Friday and the chairman Creagh O'Connor hoped the event would continue to lift the game's profile.

"Women's cricket is growing quickly and the Australian women's team is looking forward to defending the World Cup on home soil," O'Connor said. "This is an exciting time for the sport."

David Gilbert, the Cricket New South Wales chief executive, said the decision was great news. "Cricket New South Wales has a comprehensive range of international and first-class facilities," he said, "is proven in the smooth running of major events and is a long-term advocate of the women's game."

Tasmania was also interested in staging the competition and the state will be considered as a venue for the tournament's warm-up matches. Australia won the 2005 World Cup after Karen Rolton's century set up the 98-run success over India.