The Women’s Cricket World Cup which is being jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka began last Tuesday (30th September) as the two nations host six other countries for the 13th edition of the tournament.

The reigning champions Australia will join the two hosts nations alongside Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa for the tournament which lasts until 2nd November.

ODI 1: India vs Sri Lanka

The match came to life between the 25th and 27th overs India slipped to 124-6 after 4 Indian wickets fell but they held on for a final score of 269-8 thanks to two half centuries from Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur.

As both innings were reduced to 47 overs due to rain delays, Sri Lanka began their chase and looked promising but after their captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed at 82-2 they struggled to utilise India’s middle-order collapse and were bowled out for 211 as Player of the Match Sharma bowled 3/54 to get her nation off to a winning start.

Result: India beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS method)

ODI 2: Australia vs New Zealand

Reigning champions Australia began their defence comfortably as they reached 40 before losing their first wicket in 4.5 overs and while losing three wickets in 4 overs Ash Gardner’s 115 off 83 balls helped Australia to 326-10 all out.

New Zealand fell to 0-2 after 1.3 overs and despite captain Sophie Devine hitting 112 off 112 balls the Kiwis couldn’t recover from their four ducks so fell to 237-10 after losing three wickets in 4 balls in the 42nd over.

Result: Australia beat New Zealand by 89 runs

ODI 3: Pakistan vs Bangladesh

Pakistan lost two wickets within the first over for a score of 2-2 and with a brilliant showing from Bangladesh’s bowlers especially Shorna Akter who finished the innings on 3/5 Pakistan ended their batting on 129 all out in 38.3 overs with Rameen Shamim recording their highest score of 23.

Bangladesh’s chase was lead by Rubya Haider Jhilik who finished the innings with a half century (53) not out as Bangladesh completed their innings in 31.1 overs to claim their first win of the tournament.

Result: Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 7 wickets

ODI 4: South Africa vs England

South Africa opened the batting and their best performer was Jafta with 22 runs in 36 balls but all the other batters were unable to reach more than 6 runs as England’s bowlers bowled South Africa out for 69 runs in 20.4 overs. The Player of the Match Linsey Smith posted impressive figures as she ended her four overs on 3/7.

England began and ended their innings with Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones as they reached 73 between them with just 14.1 overs gone to claim the victory.

Result: England beat South Africa by 10 wickets

ODI 5: Australia vs Sri Lanka

The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled so both nations were given 1 point (NR on the standings table).

ODI 6: India vs Pakistan

India opened their innings well as their first wicket fell just short of 50 runs and they managed to reach over 150 runs before their top run-scorer Harleen Deol was caught on 46 runs. They reached 247 before they were all out as Pakistan’s Diana Baig took 4 wickets for 69 runs off 10 overs.

Sidra Amin recorded 81 runs off 106 balls to kickstart Pakistan’s chase but it wasn’t to be as the hosts won by 88 runs as they bowled out Pakistan for 159 with both Deepti and Kranti Gaud taking 3 wickets each.

Result: India beat Pakistan by 88 runs

ODI 7: New Zealand vs South Africa

Despite losing a wicket on the first ball of the match, New Zealand put up a convincing fight against South Africa as they reached 231 all out with their captain Devine reaching 85 to record her second half century of the tournament. However, Nonkululeko Mlaba’s bowling saw her finish on 4/40 after 10 overs kept South Africa in the contest.

Player of the match Brits and Luus helped their nation to win their first match of the tournament with a century and 83 runs respectively as South Africa bounced back from their defeat against England to reach New Zealand’s total of 231 with 40.5 overs gone for a final score of 234-4.

Result: South Africa beat New Zealand by 6 wickets

Standings after ODI 7

India is at the top of the standings on 4 points after winning both of their matches with a net run rate (NRR) of +1.515.

Australia’s win and NR places them in 2nd on 3 points with a NRR of +1.780 whilst England and Bangladesh sit in 3rd and 4th respectively after winning their opening matches. England’s NRR of +3.773 leaves them ahead of Bangladesh in the standings as they have a NRR of +1.623.

5th place South Africa has a NRR of -1.424 after recording a win and a loss so they are above Sri Lanka in 6th who have one loss and one NR with a NRR of -1.255.

New Zealand and Pakistan sit in 7th and 8th as both nations are yet to get their first win of the tournament after playing two matches. New Zealand just edge Pakistan in the standings as they have a NRR of -1.463 whilst Pakistan’s NRR is -1.777.