New Zealand hosted the 1982 Women’s World Cup. For the first time, there was a title sponsor, and the tournament was officially called the Hansells Vita Fresh World Cup. Despite that, the teams (often the cricketers) had to pay for the trip. Netherlands, one of the invited teams, opted out on financial grounds. Since New Zealand had hosted the South African rugby team in 1981, West Indies withdrew in protest as well.
Along with the four teams from the previous edition – Australia, England, New Zealand, and India – there was an International XI. This team consisted of cricketers from the four nations, along with Ingrid van der Elst and Babette van Teunenbroek of the Netherlands.
The five teams played a triple round-robin league, amounting to 30 league matches in all. For the first time in the history of the Women’s World Cup, there was a tournament final (the league toppers won the 1978 and 1982 editions).
Despite the duration of the tournament (12 league matches per side), Australia finished unbeaten, though one of their matches ended in a tie. The undefeated streak they had started in 1978 continued until 1985, and lasted 24 matches.
They opened the tournament with a 153-run thrashing of India, at that point a world record in Women’s ODIs. Two days later, New Zealand overhauled this with a 184-run winning margin against the International XI.
New Zealand themselves opened the tournament with a tie against England, the first ever in Women’s ODIs. They were defending only 148 in 60 overs, but despite Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s 76, England failed to win. England were part of the second tie as well. Chasing 168, Australia were 159/6 at one point and then 165/7, but were bowled out off the last ball with scores level.
The International XI lost all 12 league matches. India finished just above them, with four wins, three of which came against the International XI. In the other, they rode on Fowzieh Khalili’s 88 to reach 188/7 before bowling out England for 131.
England (seven wins) pipped New Zealand (six) to meet Australia in the final. There, despite Jan Southgate’s 53, England could only manage 151/5. None of the five Australian bowlers conceded over three an over in their 12-over spells. Australia, 28/3 at one point, eventually won by three wickets with an over to spare.
Final: England 151/5 in 60 overs (Jan Southgate 53; Lyn Fullston 2-20) lost to Australia 152/7 in 59 overs (Jennifer Jacobs 37; Avril Starling 2-21) by 3 wickets with 6 balls to spare.
Australia won the World Cup.
Most runs: Jan Brittin (England, 391), Lynne Thomas (International XI, 383), Susan Goatman (England, 374)
Most wickets: Lyn Fullston (Australia, 23), Jackie Lord (New Zealand, 22), Shubhangi Kulkarni (India, 20)