In 2000, New Zealand hosted the Women’s World Cup for the second time. The number of teams was reduced eleven to eight. The teams played a round-robin league, followed by the knockouts. The tournament was sponsored by Cricinfo, a cricket website, who also provided ball-by-ball text commentary for the tournament.
Australia won all seven matches to top the league stage. So dominant were they that the top three run-scorers – Karen Rolton, Lisa Keightley, and Belinda Clark – were all Australians, as were two of the top three wicket-takers – Charmaine Mason and Avril Fahey. Keighley was also named Player of the Tournament.
New Zealand, who lost only to Australia, finished second in the league. India and South Africa, the next two teams, followed the same path, of losing to the teams above them and beating everyone else.
Both semi-finals turned out to be one-sided affairs: Australia and New Zealand respectively beat South Africa and India by nine wickets to romp to the final. Having won the last World Cup (and four of the six previous editions), Australia were outright favourites for the final – a match Rick Eyre hailed as ‘the greatest World Cup final ever’ (albeit before 2019).
New Zealand were bowled out for 184. They took two early wickets, but Belinda Clark took charge to take Australia to 85/2, but New Zealand hit back, and Australia were suddenly 115/6. Clark continued, helping put on 35 for the seventh wicket before Clare Nicholson bowled her. Clark had scored 91 of the runs: they would help her win the Player of the Match award.
The target came down to five from the last over. Australia were nine down. Haidee Tiffen was the obvious choice, but Emily Drumm had a brainwave of sorts. On pure hunch, she asked Nicholson to bowl the last over.
The lack of pace undid Charmaine Mason. She waited, tried to cut, edged, and Rebecca Rolls held the ball. New Zealand had lifted their first ever World Cup. It was not a two-way contest anymore.
Semi-final: South Africa 180/8 in 50 overs (Linda Oliver 41; Charmaine Mason 3-39) lost to Australia 181/1 in 31.2 overs (Lisa Keightley 91*; Cindy Eksteen 1-39) by 9 wickets with 112 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Lisa Keightley.
Semi-final: India 117 in 45.2 overs (Purnima Rau 67*; Kathryn Ramel 2-15) lost to New Zealand 121/1 in 26.5 overs (Anna Smith 50*; Neetu David 1-18) by 9 wickets with 139 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Anna Smith.
Final: New Zealand 184 in 48.4 overs (Kathryn Ramel 41; Cathryn Fitzpatrick 3-52) beat Australia 180 in 49.1 overs (Belinda Clark 91; Katrina Keenan 2-19) by 4 runs. Player of the Match: Belinda Clark.
New Zealand won the World Cup. Player of the Tournament: Lisa Keightley.
Most runs: Karen Rolton (Australia, 393), Lisa Keightley (Australia, 375), Belinda Clark (Australia, 351)
Most wickets: Charmaine Mason (Australia, 17), Clare Taylor (England, 14), Avril Fahey (Australia, 13)