World Cup washout

Jenny Gunn was the shining light for England © Getty Images

Rain severely disrupted the opening day of the 2005 World Cup, with all four matches washed out after heavy rain lashed Pretoria. There are no reserve days in the opening group matches and so all teams will receive three points.

England struggled after choosing to bat at the Technikon Oval, and were indebted to a brisk 40 from 50 balls by Jenny Gunn to give their total some respectability. Charlotte Edwards and Laura Newton gave the innings a steady start, content to see off the new ball threat of Cathryn Fitzpatrick. But Julie Hayes removed both openers, and when Clare Connor fell without scoring England were struggling at 63 for 3.

Clare Taylor set about trying to rebuild the innings, as Australia's seamers proved hard to get away. The middle-order fell trying to up the tempo, and when Rosalie Birch was run out England were in trouble at 102 for 6, leaving them trying to bat out the overs. Gunn played positively, adding 41 with Jane Smit for the eighth wicket, but the rain arrived before England got the chance to see how competitive their total would be.

South Africa were on course to post a decent score at Centurion Park, before rain put paid to their opening match against Ireland. They were made to work for their runs by a determined Irish team, who reduced them to 92 for 5 before the middle-order led a recovery.

Barbara McDonald was the pick of the Irish attack, here two early wickets included Johmari Logtenberg, the teenage star who is tipped for an impressive future. Shandre Fritz and Claire Terblanche added 90 for sixth wicket before bad light, and eventually rain, arrived with two overs of their innings remaining.

New Zealand 178 for 8 (Lewis 77) v West Indies - No Result
Scorecard

Maia Lewis was the star for New Zealand, the defending champions, making 77 from 148 balls, but the rest of the batting struggled. Nicola Browne offered the only real support, making 25 from 35 balls, while Philippa Thomas and Nelly Williams claimed two wickets each.

Sri Lanka 116 v India 4 for 0 - No Result
Scorecard

The Indian bowlers kept a constant stranglehold on the Sri Lankan batting, never allowing them to gain any momentum. Even Shashikala Siriwardena, the top-score, struggled for 63 balls to make 29. Neetu David was the pick of the attack with 3 for 17, and the Indians would have been highly confident of reaching their target, but only had the chance to face two overs.