England and New Zealand surge in to final

Mar 21, 2009

England entered the World Cup as joint favourites with hosts Australia. England last won the World Cup in 1993 •Getty Images

After the inauguration and the pre-World Cup talk, it was time to get down to the action•ICC

New Zealand also had success in their opening game - a more satisfying one since it came against the No. 1 side•Getty Images

England's top order continued to churn out runs•Getty Images

So both sides reached the Super Six with wins from all their group games. But England looked a better all-round unit•Getty Images

Meanwhile India had beaten Australia. This meant if New Zealand lost to India, it would greatly reduce their chances of making it to the final•Getty Images

A 146-run win over West Indies - with opener Sarah Taylor getting her first half-century of the tournament - launched England into the World Cup final in style•Getty Images

New Zealand will be counting on their powerful middle-order batsman to boost their total on Sunday•ICC

New Zealand last won the title in 2000 and captain Haidee Tiffen would have been keen to get cup No. 2 under her leadership•Getty Images

England started off in style; Claire Taylor's century took them to 277 against Sri Lanka•Getty Images

After Tiffen scored a half-century, Kate Pulford, making her return to the side after six years, picked up three wickets as New Zealand won by the D/L method•Getty Images

New Zealand's batsmen were not as effective•Getty Images

And when the two met in the Super Six, England prevailed. Charlotte Edwards' 57 took England to 201•Getty Images

India began well, with Anjum Chopra scoring 52 and Amita Sharma boosting the total with an unbeaten 52-ball 59 that took India to 207•Getty Images

But they couldn't make it to the final unbeaten as Australia ended their 17-match winning streak•Getty Images

Even the bookies can't split the teams•Christopher Lee

With Laura Marsh taking 3 for 32, Sri Lanka lost by 100 runs•Getty Images

A thumping nine-wicket win against India followed for England•Getty Images

Though New Zealand won against West Indies and South Africa, only Tiffen had scored runs consistently•Getty Images

And then she took 4 for 37 as New Zealand fell 31 runs short•Getty Images

However an opening stand of 78 put New Zealand on course for an easy win. Pulford scored 71 and Suzie Bates chipped in with an unbeaten 47•Getty Images

New Zealand needed a win in their final Super Six match and a masterful display by Bates - who scored 168 - and Tiffen - who got her maiden one-day century - took them to a mammoth 373 against Pakistan. New Zealand won the match by 223 runs•Getty Images