Womens ODI World Cup

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The 2009 Womens ODI World Cup starts this weekend in NSW

Australia may have home advantage for the 2009 World Cup and the statistical benefit of being unbeaten in a one-day series since 2000, but as the world at large has been learning, numbers can mask a truer picture. They had to come from 2-0 down in their series with a strong New Zealand in February, while England have emerged as a force and held them to a draw in their backyard last year.

Being uncertain as to who will be the winner this time indicates a time of strength for the women's game. Australia, New Zealand and England are the three main contenders and have sides brimming with talent, desire and ability. They are the only teams to have won the tournament since its inception in 1973.

It would be foolish to write off India, the fourth main contender, and the beaten finalist in 2005. However, they have been on the wrong side against the three big players, with a 12-match losing streak stretching back to 2007
cricinfo

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Australia are in a tough situation here; chasing 203 to win, currently 6/124 after 31.2 overs.

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And rain looks to be threatening - we must be in Sydney.
Edit: Another rain delay.

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England 5 for 277 (Taylor 101, Atkins 50) beat Sri Lanka 7 for 177 (de Alwis 37, Marsh 3-32) by 100 runs

Claire Taylor's century helped England, one of the tournament favourites, send an early message to Australia and New Zealand by sweeping aside Sri Lanka in Canberra. Taylor's 101 off 95 balls, her eighth ODI hundred, was the key display in England's formidable 5 for 277 and they were never in danger of defeat as Sri Lanka reached 7 for 177 in 50 overs

India 0 for 58 (Deshpande 26*) beat Pakistan 57 (Mir 17, Dhar 3-7) by 10 wickets

India opened the World Cup with a convincing 10-wicket victory against an over-powered Pakistan that was completed in 39 overs. After winning the toss in Bowral, India quickly dismissed Pakistan for 57 and then Anagha Deshpande and Anjum Chopra knocked off the runs without any discomfort

New Zealand 205 (Tiffen 57, Perry 3-41) beat Australia 6 for 132 (Nitschke 27, Pulford 3-32) by 13 runs on D/L method

Australia's World Cup defence got off to a poor start as their batsmen failed to deal with the pressure of a moderate chase against a committed New Zealand. In a tussle between the Group B heavyweights, New Zealand quickly overcame a horrible collapse of 7 for 34, which ended their innings at 205, by hitting the hosts regularly in their interrupted chase

West Indies 117 for 8 (Daley 26) beat South Africa 116 (Smith 46, Taylor 4-17) by two wickets

West Indies have nearly sealed their place in the Super Six after beating South Africa by two wickets in a close opening game in Newcastle. Unless South Africa can contrive to beat Australia, it is unlikely they will make it to the next round and will have to be content with play-offs that follow the group stage

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England beat NZ to win the World Cup