The North Sydney Oval in Sydney witnessed the clash between England Women and India Women on 10th March 2009. England Women trounced India Women by 9 wickets with 68 deliveries to spare. Caroline Atkins and Claire Taylor collaborated for an unbroken partnership of 125 runs and ensured victory for their team. Caroline Atkins was declared as the Player of the Match. She faced 124 deliveries and stockpiled 69 not out runs inclusive of 9 fours. The task for this duo was made simpler due to an outstanding bowling performance by Jenny Gunn and Holly Colvin, each of whom made 3 dismissals.
Dismal batting
Some cricketers of the England Women cricket team invested 4 to 6 months for practice on Australian grounds before the ongoing Cricket World Cup. This became evident in the high profile encounter against India Women. Initially, Isa Guha caused the dismissals of Anjum Chopra and Thirush Kamini and India were tottering at 9 for 2. Only 4 Indian batsman could reach double figures. Anagha Deshpande faced 68 deliveries and clobbered 1 sixer and 4 boundaries to compile 32 runs. Mithali Raj smashed 9 boundaries in 90 balls and accumulated 59 runs. The tailenders, Amita Sharma and Gouher Sultana scored 33 and 10 respectively and added 43 runs for the 10th wicket. In 48.4 overs, India was all out for 169.
Moderate challenge
The English openers, Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins laid a sound foundation of 47 runs in 15.1 overs, when Taylor departed for 27 in 43 deliveries. No further wickets fell and Atkins and Claire Taylor, both remained unbeaten on 69. In 38.4 overs, England Women were 172 for 1 wicket.