England and New Zealand ready for final showdown

Kiwis have noses ahead after winning 29 out of 49 matches to date; Haidee Tiffen aims to win her second World Cup while rival captain Charlotte Edwards searches for her first title

Belinda Clark heads selection panel which will decide player of the tournament and ICC Team of the Tournament

Photos from the training sessions of the two teams and captains’ photo with the trophy available for free download from the ICC FTP site

Former champions England and New Zealand will try to add another title to its collection when they square-off in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in front of the ESPN STAR Sports cameras at North Sydney Oval, Sydney.

England has won the World Cup twice – the inaugural tournament in 1973 on its home turf and then in 1993 when it defeated New Zealand in the final by 67 runs – while New Zealand’s only success has come in 2000 in its backyard when it beat Australia in a dramatic final by four runs.


The two teams have previously met 49 times with New Zealand winning 29 matches and England 18. Their first match against each other in the 1982 World Cup ended in a tie after both the sides finished on 147 at Auckland while one match was abandoned.

The two sides have qualified for the much-awaited final after finishing in the top two of the Super Six stage. After winning their respective groups, both the sides lost one match each in the Super Six stage – England defeating New Zealand by 31 runs last week before losing to Australia by eight wickets on Thursday.

The two teams have showed a lot of flare, aggression, method and purpose behind their performances in the last couple of weeks which is evident from their convincing victories. New Zealand defeated defending champion Australia by 13 runs (D/L Method), West Indies by 56 runs, South Africa by 199 runs, India by five wickets and Pakistan by 223 runs while England also beat Sri Lanka by 100 runs, India by nine wickets, Pakistan by eight wickets and the West Indies by 146 runs.

The players of the two sides are also peaking at the right time with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates clobbering 19 fours and six sixes in a 105-ball 168 against Pakistan on Thursday. She is the second leading run-getter in the tournament after England’s Claire Taylor who has scored 303 runs to date, including a century against Sri Lanka and an unbeaten 69 against India.

Other in-form New Zealand batters include captain Haidee Tiffen, who has scored 249 runs, Amy Satterthwaite (162) and Sara McGlashan (153) while for England openers Caroline Atkins (211) and Sarah Taylor (177) have shown remarkable consistency at the top of the order while captain Charlotte Edwards, ICC’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2008, has yet to find her magical touch despite scoring 127 runs.

England’s Laura Marsh has undoubtedly been the find of the tournament. The 22-year-old off-spinner from Kent has taken 14 wickets so far at an average of 9.28 while New Zealand vice-captain Aimee Mason is her side’s most successful bowler with nine wickets at an average of 14.33.

The two sides had their final workouts on Saturday morning ahead of Sunday’s final and both the captains were confident and excited in their pre-match press conferences.

Haidee Tiffen said: “We are really excited about tomorrow’s game and have been working extremely hard over the last couple of weeks. At the same time, we have been improving on our overall performance on the way.”

“We have been learning as we went along and we have made sure we have given our players plenty of opportunity. That game against Pakistan was great as we got a good hit out.”

Tiffen, who has scored 2,889 runs in 116 ODIs and will equal Maia Lewis’ record of captaining New Zealand in most ODIs (45) on Sunday, said her team would not only depend on Bates. “Against Pakistan, Suzie batted the best I have ever seen of her. She is an outstanding player for us but there were some other good performances on that day and all through the tournament.

“Look, you will be nervous if you are not nervous. There will be some nerves around - that is a positive thing. But it’s all about how you channelize those nerves.”

Haidee, who was also a member of the New Zealand side that won the title in 2000, refused to be drawn into comparing the present side with Emily Drumm’s side. “The memories of the 2000 World Cup are very close to my heart. It is certainly the highlight of my career. Whilst the teams are different, certainly the passion, commitment and pride for our country are evident in both the teams. We are looking forward to (Sunday’s) occasion and the girls have been doing very well.”

In sharp contrast, Charlotte Edwards has been in the three previous semi-finals but will be making her first appearance in the final. She is not only her country’s most experienced player with 123 caps, she is also the most successful batter with 3,647 runs.

Edwards said Sunday’s match would be the biggest match of her career. “I have played in a lot of big games but never in a World Cup final. I am looking forward to tomorrow which will be the biggest game of my career. The World Cup comes only after four years and I think I am lucky to be in the final after three semi-finals,” she said.

“Hopefully, Claire Taylor’s and my experience will see the girls through tomorrow. The good thing about our team is we have youngsters and all they know is success at the moment. It is a good mixture of youth and experience and we have been telling the youngsters to just enjoy the day as not many people play in a World Cup final.

“Yesterday was quite a long day, having a day off. But yes, there is excitement today and we are just ready to play cricket. This is something we have worked towards for a number of years now and we can’t wait for tomorrow to happen and get underway.

“Tomorrow’s match will be all about which team handles the pressure better and whose key players perform. These are two very good and evenly matched teams and the team that plays best cricket on Sunday will win the match.

“On Thursday (against Australia), there was a minor blip but we have been playing good cricket. We have a lot of confidence and are going along nicely.”

Match referee Brian Aldridge will lead the playing control team on Sunday. Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Brian Jerling of the International Panel will be the on-field umpires while Tyron Wijewardena has been named as third umpire and Jeff Brookes will be the fourth umpire.

The player of the tournament will be announced on Sunday while the ICC Team of the Tournament will be named on Monday by a five-member selection panel that includes Belinda Clark, Brian Aldridge, Danny Morrison, Kathy Cross and Allison Mitchell.

Squads: 

New Zealand – Haidee Tiffen (captain), Aimee Mason (vice-captain), Suzie Bates, Nicola Browne, Abby Burrows, Sophie Devine, Lucy Doolan, Sara McGlashan, Beth McNeill, Katey Martin, Rachel Priest, Kate Pulford, Amy Satterthwaite, Sarah Tsukigawa.

England – Charlotte Edwards (captain), Caroline Atkins, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Griffiths, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Ebony Rainsford-Brent, Nicola Shaw, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor.

Match referee: Brian Aldridge

Umpires: Steve Davis and Brian Jerling

Third umpire: Tyron Wijewardena

Fourth umpire: Jeff Brookes

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 4:22:56 AM

England aims to secure place in final

England goes into Tuesday’s match against the West Indies looking to secure a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup Final.
Knowing a win will guarantee it a place in Sunday’s final, England has been the team to beat at this event, and they have certainly impressed Australian legend Belinda Clark.

“England has played really well and I think they came to this tournament as favourites. As much as people were saying that Australia and New Zealand have played a lot of good cricket is true, but England comes with more experience than any other squad at this tournament, and have players in the top places in the rankings. Whether they can sustain it will be interesting as now the favourites tag is on them they will have to learn to cope with that pressure,” said Clark.

England has won three out of the five matches played between the side, with one loss in 1979 and one no result, and it comfortably won the last match between the two sides by 10 wickets on a green, seaming wicket at Loughborough last year.

In today’s other match, a repeat of the Women’s World Cup semi-final in 2005, India takes on New Zealand.

Both teams know that victory will go a long way towards claiming a spot in Sunday’s final, with New Zealand going into the match on a four-match winning streak against India in ODI games, although Jhulan Goswami’s side did win the friendly warm-up game between the two sides ahead of the tournament.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News -Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:22:06 PM

The two Taylors take England to World Cup Final

England sealed a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup final after a comprehensive 146-run win over the West Indies.

Player of the Match Sarah Taylor, made an excellent 78, while fifties from Claire Taylor and Caroline Atkins, helped build an imposing England total, before spinner Laura Marsh added to her growing reputation with three wickets.

On a difficult Drummoyne wicket, Sarah Taylor (78) and Caroline Atkins (50) added 134 for the first-wicket to give England a solid base, but the loss of four wickets for just 11 runs gave Charlotte Edwards’ side some cause for concern.

A brilliant innings from Claire Taylor then helped it record the fourth highest total of the tournament to date as it reached 236-8 off 50 overs.

Taylor smashed a brilliant 65, off 56 balls, including two sixes, as she gave the England innings some much needed momentum.

In reply, the West Indies never looked like reaching its target, despite some big hitting from Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin who both hit sixes.

Dottin, who top scored with 23, put on a useful 44-run partnership for the West Indies, as it attempted to recover from 22-4.

But once Dottin was dismissed, the rest of the batting crumbled and it was eventually dismissed for 90 all out with Marsh taking 3-17. 

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News -Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:46:19 AM

Edwards leads England to brilliant victory

England took a step closer to the ICC Cricket World Cup Final after defeating New Zealand by 31 runs at Bankstown.

An excellent all-round display from Charlotte Edwards, as she made a half century and took four wickets, means that England is now the only unbeaten team left at the tournament.

Edwards (57) played an important captain’s innings, against a strong White Ferns attack, as England struggled to reach 201-5 off 50 overs batting first.

Caroline Atkins (36) had earlier given the English a solid start, while a 43-run partnership for sixth wicket from Beth Morgan (37 not out) and Jenny Gunn (22 not out), with some late-order hitting, helped England establish a decent target.

The loss of regular wickets was the key to England’s bowling performance as only New Zealand skipper Haidee Tiffen (53) showed any kind of resistance at the top of the order as New Zealand crumbled to 170 all out.

Edwards received excellent support from spinners Laura Marsh and Holly Colvin, while Katherine Brunt also claimed two wickets.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News-  Saturday, March 14, 2009 2:14:29 AM

Five wickets for Marsh maintains unbeaten start

A fine display of spin bowling from Laura Marsh ensured England topped Group B at the ICC Women’s World Cup.

Marsh took 5-15, in her 10 overs, as England coasted to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan at North Sydney Oval.

Pakistan had got off to an excellent start, after winning the toss and batting, but the loss of Nain Abidi (27) when the score was 51-1 sparked a dramatic collapse, as the final nine wickets fell for just 27 runs.

Marsh bowled a beautifully controlled spell of spin bowling, well supported by the left-arm spin of Holly Colvin, who took 1-8 in her 10-over spell, before Charlotte Edwards wrapped up the tail with two wickets.

In reply, Sarah Taylor (11) fell early on to Qanita Jalil, before Ebony Rainsford-Brent (18) and Charlotte Edwards (32 not out) added 35 for second-wicket.

Although Rainsford-Brent was dismissed by Sana Mir, going for an ugly slog, England cruised to a comfortable win with 26.5 overs to spare. 

ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - News  Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:03:13 AM

India and England look to maintain unbeaten run

India and England feature in the showcase match of Tuesday’s action at the ICC Women’s World Cup when they face-off at North Sydney Oval.

A match-winning innings from Anjum Chopra provided India with victory the last time these two sides met at a World Cup, back in 2005, and she is again expected to be a key player today.

England, who defeated Sri Lanka on Saturday by 100 runs, despite a scrappy performance, will be hopeful of continuing its winning run against India having defeated it 4-0 last year.

In Group A, Australia will be hoping to get its campaign back on track when it faces South Africa at Newcastle.

Karen Rolton’s side, who suffered a defeat to New Zealand on Sunday in a rain-affected match, will be desperate to record its first win of the tournament, while Sunette Loubser will be asking for a better batting performance from her South African side after being bowled out for just 116 against the West Indies on Sunday.

In the other match of the day, the two unbeaten sides in Group A, New Zealand and West Indies, play at Bankstown.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - News  Tuesday, March 10, 2009 6:53:03 PM

England through to Super Six stages

England sealed its place in the Super Six stage at the ICC Women’s World Cup after a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over India.

A brilliant 125-run partnership from Claire Taylor and Caroline Atkins, which built on an excellent England bowling display led by Holly Colvin, helped Charlotte Edwards’ side cruise to a comfortable victory with 11.3 overs to spare.

Mithali Raj (59) was the star of India’s innings as it struggled to reach 169 all out off 48.4 overs.

After Holly Colvin (3-22), Jenny Gunn (3-50) and Isa Guha (2-16) had reduced a fragile Indian batting line-up to 126-9, Amita Sharma then added some respectability to the score with some powerful late order hitting as she put on 43 with Gouher Sultana for the tenth wicket.

Indeed such was the belligerent nature of her innings, the Indian vice-captain scored 28 off the last ten balls of her innings, including 20 off one Jenny Gunn over.

Caroline Atkins (69 not out) led the way for England in reply, receiving excellent support from Sarah Taylor (27), until Priyanka Roy broke the first-wicket partnership of 47.

Atkins and Claire Taylor (69 not out), who had made an hundred in the opening match against Sri Lanka, then added a brilliant second-wicket partnership to secure an easy win.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - News    Tuesday, March 10, 2009 1:23:01 AM

Former champion England ready to take on Asia alone

India and Sri Lanka also likely to progress to Super Six stage ahead of inexperienced Pakistan 

Two-time former champion England finds itself taking on all the Asian teams in pursuit of a place in the Super Six stage from Group B of next week’s ICC Women’s World Cup 2009to be staged from 7 to 22 March. 

England, winner in 1973 and 1993 on home turf, launches its latest campaign against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the tournament at Manuka Oval, Canberra. Two days later in the feature match of the group, Charlotte Edwards’s side meets 2005 World Cup beaten finalist India on 10 March before concluding the group stage of the tournament against Pakistan on 12 March. 

England’s matches against India and Pakistan will be played at North Sydney Oval and will be covered live by ICC’s official broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports. 

Traditional rivals India and Pakistan also get into action on the opening day of the tournament at Bradman Oval. Sri Lanka will meet Pakistan at Manuka Oval on 12 March and on the last day of the first round matches on 14 March, India will take on Sri Lanka at Bankstown Oval. 

If recent performances are anything to do with this group, then in all probability Pakistan will be the team that does not progress to the Super Six stage, which starts from 14 March, while the match between England and India could decide who tops the group. 

Pakistan won the right to compete against the elite when it reached the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier (ICC WWCQ) in Stellenbosch, South Africa last year where it lost to South Africa by eight wickets. On its way to the final, Pakistan surprised two top-10 ranked teams – ninth-placed Ireland by 57 runs and 10th-placed Netherlands by 94 runs in the semi-final. Urooj Mumtaz’s side also accounted for Scotland by 252 runs and Zimbabwe by nine wickets on way to the semi-final. 

But since the semi-final victory over the Netherlands in the semi-final at Stellenbosch, Pakistan’s performance has taken a nose-dive as it has lost all eight ODIs – one against South Africa (in the final of ICC WWQ), two against India (in Asia Cup) and five against Sri Lanka (two in Asia Cup and three in triangular series in Bangladesh) – with batting giving Mumtaz major headaches. 

So much so that with the exception of fast bowler Javeria Khan, the performances of other key players have dipped significantly. 

While Javeria has figures of 11-172 in the last seven ODIs, Sana Mir, who was player of the tournament in Stellenbosch along with the Netherlands’ Caroline de Fouw, has scored only 67 runs and has taken 5-265, captain Urooj Mumtaz has contributed 122 runs and has taken 12-268 and Sajid Shah, who is the only Pakistan bowler in the top 20 of the Reliance Mobile ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings, has picked up 6-223. 

On paper, England looks to be a superior side to India but in reality, there is very little to choose between the two sides as both have enjoyed almost equal success against each other. The two teams have met 46 times with Charlotte Edwards’s side winning 24 matches and Jhulan Goswami’s side emerging winner on 20 occasions. 

However, England and India maintain a 100 per cent record against the other two teams in the group, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

In the most recent series between the two teams, England beat India 4-0 in a five-match series in England last September, a season which saw England win nine out of the 10 ODIs with the last match against India being washed-out. 

England is the most improved of the eight sides taking part in the World Cup, having the likes of Edwards, Clair Taylor, Sarah Taylor, Lydia Greenway, Caroline Atkins (all batters), Isa Guha, Holly Colvin, Katherine Brunt , Nicola Shaw (all bowlers) and all-rounder Jenny Gunn. All these players figure in the top 20 of batting and bowling listings of Reliance Mobile ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings. 

Edwards is not only an experienced captain who has led England in 43 ODIs, winning 24 of those match, she has also been an inspirational leader as she is the fourth most successful batter in women’s cricket after Belinda Clark (4,844 runs), Karen Rolton (4,495) and Debbie Hockley (4,064) with 3,520 runs. 

Edwards will be appearing in her fourth World Cup. In her debut World Cup in India where England lost to New Zealand by 20 runs in the semi-final, Edwards was her team’s leading run-getter with 365 runs at an average of 91.25 while in New Zealand in 2000, where England finished fifth, she scored 157 runs at an average of 52.33. In South Africa in 2005, where England lost to Australia by five wickets in the semi-final, she was the leading scorer with 280 runs at an average of 46.66. 

Another experienced campaigner in the England side is Claire Taylor who will be appearing in her third World Cup and has already played 102 ODIs. In her debut World Cup in New Zealand in 2000, Taylor, who is the sixth leading run-getter in women’s cricket with 3,287 runs, was England’s principle scorer with 267 runs at an average of 66.75 while in 2005 in South Africa, she was just behind Edwards with 265 runs. 

Apart from Edwards and Taylor, other survivors from the 2005 campaign include Brunt, Greenway, Guha, Gunn and Shaw. 

The event will also be a big test for Ebony-Jewl Rainford-Brent, the 25-year-old fast bowler, who is returning after a back injury. Brent made her debut at the age of 17 but last played for England in the home series against South Africa. 

India will be relying heavily on captain Jhulan Goswami, former captain Mithali Raj and veteran Anjum Chopra who will be appearing in her fourth World Cup. 

Goswami, who captained India on the tour to Australia late last year where India was blanked out 5-0, is most experienced current bowler with 105 ODI wickets in 93 ODIs. Goswami, ICC Women’s Player of the Year in 2007, was the third leading wicket-taker behind team-mates Neetu David (20 wickets) and Ajay Sharma (14) with 13 wickets in the 2005 World Cup. 

Raj is undoubtedly the mainstay of the India team as she was not only her team’s main run-getter in South Africa four years ago along with Chopra but is also the fifth most successful batter with 3,302 runs. While she scored 199 runs in South Africa, her contribution in the 2000 World Cup was 152 runs from three matches at an average of 76. 

Raj was also the leading run-getter for India in her side’s 4-0 series loss to England and 5-0 defeat to Australia last year. In England, Raj scored 231 runs at an average of 77 while in Australia, her contribution was 138 runs. 

Chopra had a below-par World Cup in 1997 when she could manage only eight runs from three matches. However, in New Zealand she was India’s best performer with 267 runs at an average of 38.14. In South Africa, she scored 180 runs. 

Besides these three, fast bowler and vice-captain Amita Sharma and all-rounder Rumeli Dhar will also be returning for their second World Cup. 

Sri Lanka will be appearing in the World Cup for the fourth time with 32-year-old Hiruka Fernando all set to become her country’s only player to figure in all the events. The left-handed batter is also her country’s most experienced player with 51 ODIs in which she has scored 929 runs, including an unbeaten 78 against South Africa in Pretoria in 2005 which earned her the player-of-the-match award. 

Hiruka and Rose Fernando will be one of the family stories of the tournament as the sisters hope to make an important contribution to the success of its team at the tournament. While Hiruka is171 runs short of becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to score 1,000 ODI runs, Rose is her country’s second most successful bowler behind captain Shashikala Siriwardena (44) with 42 wickets. 

Besides Hiruka, all-rounder Shamani Seneviratne and left-handed opener Dedunu de Silva will be appearing in their second World Cup. 

Sri Lanka has shown significant improvement of late in its batting. After averaging a dismal 116 runs while batting first and only 89 runs when chasing targets in 17 World Cup matches, it has gone up to 185 runs in the first innings and 155 runs in the second innings in the last 13 matches. 

The top four teams from the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 will automatically qualify for the 2013 event to be staged in India while the fifth and sixth-placed teams will earn direct spots in the 10-team ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2011 where they will be joined by eight other sides – two each from Africa, Asia and Europe, and one each from Americas and East Asia-Pacific regions – who will qualify from their own regional qualifying tournaments. 

Group B squads 

ENGLAND – Charlotte Edwards (captain), Caroline Atkins, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Griffiths, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent, Nicola Shaw, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor. 

INDIA - Jhulan Goswami (captain), Amita Sharma (vice-captain), Anagha Deshpande, Anjum Chopra, Gouher Sultana, Harpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj, Poonam Raut, Priyanka Roy, Reema Malhotra, Rumeli Dhar, Snehal Pradhan, Sravanthi Naidu, Sulakshana Naik, Thirush Kamini. 

PAKISTAN – Urooj Mumtaz (captain), Sana Mir (vice-captain), Almas Akram, Asmavia Iqbal, Armaan Khan, Batool Fatima, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Khan, Nain Abidi, Nahida Khan, Naila Nazir, Qanita Jalil, Sajjida Shah, Sania Khan, Sukhan Faiz. 

SRI LANKA – Shashikala Siriwardena (captain), Chamani Seneviratne (vice-captain), Suwini de Alwis, Hiruka Fernando, Rose Fernando, Inoka Galagedara, Gayathri Kariyawasam, Eshani Lokusooriya, Dilani Manodara, Chamari Polgampola, Udeshika Prabodani, Deepika Rasangika, Dedunu de Silva, Sripali Weerakkody, Chandi Wickremasinghe. 

Group B fixtures: 

Sat 7 March – India v Pakistan, Bradman Oval; England v Sri Lanka, Manuka Oval 
Mon 9 March – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Manuka Oval 
Tues 10 March – India v England, North Sydney Oval 
Wed 12 March – England v Pakistan, North Sydney Oval; India v Sri Lanka, Bankstown Oval

ICC Media Release
Saturday, February 28, 2009 11:35:58 AM

Edwards says England fresh and ready despite being short of match practice

ICC Women’s Player of the Year says event format guarantees best sides reach the final 

Batter says Australia will be the team to beat and picks the West Indies as the surprise package 

England captain Charlotte Edwards believes peaking at the right time and the key players firing consistently will be the keys to success in the ICC Women’s World Cup to be staged in Australia from 7 to 22 March.

England, champion in 1973 and 1993 on home turf, is pooled with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Group B and launches its assault on the trophy on 7 March when it takes on Sri Lanka at the Manuka Oval, Canberra. 

Group A is made up of defending champion Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. The top three sides in each group will go forward to the Super Six stage where each side then plays the teams which have qualified from the other group. The top two sides from the Super Six go forward to the final. 

The ICC Women’s Player of the Year of 2008 was also of the view that next month’s tournament would be the toughest yet with the format also guaranteeing that only the two best teams in the world would qualify for the final. 

“The World Cup is all about peaking at the right time and dealing with the pressure of big matches. I think the four pre-tournament favourites (England, Australia, India and New Zealand) are equal in strength which brings it down to the fact that the difference between winning and losing will be whose key players excel on match days,” said the 29-year-old Edwards who has scored 3,520 runs in 117 ODIs. 

“I think all the (four) teams have an equal chance (of winning) so it’s a case of building some momentum going into the Super Six stage. The event has been structured in such a way that every match is a semi-final which makes it very exciting and tough, and guarantees that only the two best teams go through to the final. 

“I think this is going to be the closest World Cup in a number of years,” she said. 

A polite and soft-spoken Edwards, who first represented England at the age of 16 against New Zealand at Guildford, considers five-time champion Australia as the tournament favourite and West Indies as the team capable of springing surprises. 

“It’s obviously nice to be spoken as favourites but I think Australia is the favourite, especially because it will be playing on home turf. Australia has dominated international cricket for the past 10 years and being on home soil it is the team to beat. 

“I also think the West Indies will be the surprise package of the World Cup. We played them in the summer and I was really impressed with them, especially with their bowling and fielding.” 

Edwards said her team would try to control the controllable and avoid being complacent. “All the teams will be in Australia to win and we will be no different. We will have to concentrate, stay focused and try to control only what we can control. 

“We have got a good mix of youth and experience as have New Zealand and Australia. It will be whose key players perform on match days. Any team can win this World Cup so it is a case of not being complacent. 

“One of our players to watch in the World Cup will be wicketkeeper/batter Sarah Taylor. She is an incredible talent while I am also delighted to see Katherine Brunt back in the squad. She has recovered nicely from a serious back injury and is bowling as well as I have seen her,” Edwards said. 

The England captain admitted her team was short of match practice with her last ODI series being against India in September last year. But she stressed that her team would arrive in Sydney fresh and ready. “You can’t beat playing international cricket. 

“But on the other side of the coin, half of our squad is playing club cricket in Sydney and getting use to the conditions while those who were in England travelled to India for a training camp and attended lots of training sessions. 

“We’ll definitely arrive in Sydney fresh and ready to go.” 

When Edwards arrives in Sydney, she will be doing so as the ICC Women’s Player of the Year of 2008, the England captain, the fourth leading run-getter in World Cup history and the most experienced England player. But the Kent captain said she would not feel any of the additional pressures that come from being so high profile. 

“There is always pressure whenever you put on an England shirt but it is something I relish and love doing. But I won’t be carrying any extra burdens on my shoulders. 

“Ultimately I have to concentrate on scoring runs and captaining the side and I am very lucky to have a wonderful management team around me that allows me to do that. 

“I consider myself very fortunate to have been selected for the fourth World Cup. World Cup is a very special event, the one where you test yourself against the best in the world. I’m very fortunate to be playing in my fourth World Cup and all have been great experiences. 

“The World Cup, I think, is all about winning as it is the ultimate prize in women’s cricket and the goal that I have set for myself in this tournament is to contribute to a winning England team. 

“Any World Cup is special but I have to say that this World Cup under the auspices of the ICC will be the most exciting one yet, with the extra media coverage hopefully making it even more memorable. 

“World Cups are always exciting and challenging and combining that with all the different cultures and backgrounds, it does make it the ultimate prize. 

“It excites me to know ESPN STAR Sports will be showing live all the seven matches from the North Sydney Oval. To get this kind of coverage is unprecedented and great news for the growth of the game. 

“I am confident that the profile of women’s cricket will jump to a new level with this extra media coverage and attention which will encourage more women and girls to take up this glorious sport.” 

Edwards said he was satisfied with ICC’s initiatives to promote and develop women’s cricket. “I think everything is being done to promote the game by the ICC and I know all the players appreciate everything that is being done. It’s really exciting times ahead.” 

The ICC launched the Reliance Mobile ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings in October last year in Mumbai while later this June, all the eight sides that will assemble in Australia will be involved in the ICC World Twenty20 alongside the men’s event with the second semi-final and the final to be played ahead of the men’s semi-final and the final. 

England has two warm-up matches in a lead up to the main tournament. On Monday 2 March, it will play Australia at Village Green and will face the West Indies on Wednesday 4 March at Raby 1. 

England squad - Charlotte Edwards (captain), Caroline Atkins, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Griffiths, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Ebony-Jewel Rainford-Brent, Nicola Shaw, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor.

ICC Media Release
Sunday, February 22, 2009 1:13:20 PM