England's female cricket team showed their male counterparts how to win yesterday by beating New Zealand to win the Cricket World Cup.
It is the third time the England women's team has won the World Cup, having previously won it in 1973 and 1993 (England's men were defeated by Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup Final).
England were the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament before it started, and were the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
New Zealand, nicknamed the Black Caps, batted first and were all out for 166, giving England a target of 167 to win at the North Sydney Oval in Australia..
England achieved that target, losing six wickets along the way, to be crowned World Champions.
England's next test is the Twenty20 World Cup (the World Cup for the shortened, 20 overs version of the game) which is being held in England in June. They should also be overwhelming favourites for that.
The men's Twenty20 World Cup also takes place in England in June.
England are World Cup champions for the first time since 1993 and the third time altogether, having also won it in 1973
By Aimee Lewis
BBC News
Cricket. Women's World Cup Final (North Sydney Oval, Sydney, Australia)
New Zealand: 166
England: 167-6
England win by four wickets
England: Sarah Taylor (wk), Caroline Atkins, Claire Taylor, Charlotte Edwards (capt), Lydia Greenway, Beth Morgan, Nicky Shaw, Holly Colvin, Laura Marsh, Katherine Brunt, Isa Guha.
New Zealand: Haidee Tiffen (capt), Kate Pulford, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Sara McGlashan, Aimee Mason, Nicola Browne, Sarah Tsukigawa, Lucy Doolan, Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest (wk).
The tears begin to flow once more as the England players' magnificent achievement sinks in - they are world champions
England outclassed New Zealand to win the Women's World Cup with a thrilling four-wicket victory in Sydney.
Nicki Shaw, a late replacement for the injured Jenny Gunn, was the unlikely hero, claiming 4-34 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 166 in 47.2 overs.
Openers Sarah Taylor (39 runs) and Caroline Atkins (40) calmly took England to within touching distance of the target.
England wobbled slightly - losing five wickets for 40 runs - but won with relative ease despite a nervy finish.
It was left to player of the match Shaw (17 not out)and Holly Colvin to steer the team over the finishing line, with the former hitting two timely boundaries to ease the tension when the pressure had seemed to be getting to England.
However, had it not been for the plucky Lucy Doolan, who hit a swashbuckling 48 for New Zealand and claimed 3-23, then England's victory would arguably have been trouble-free.
England celebrate their victory
Taylor, Atkins and captain Charlotte Edwards (10) all fell prey to the 21-year-old's off-spin as Doolan added a touch of intrigue to a match which, for the most part, seemed like an England procession.
Aimee Mason's removal of Lydia Greenway and the sloppy run-out of Beth Morgan, which left England on 149-6, ensured it was not a totally nerveless win.
But England's success had been shaped in the field where the clinical fashion in which the Kiwis were dismissed allowed for some breathing space despite a batting blip.
Shaw, who only learnt of her inclusion in the team 10 minutes before play when Gunn pulled out because of a calf injury sustained during the warm-up, was particularly impressive with her seam bowling.
Suzie Bates, who scored 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match, is the first of Nicky Shaw's victims as she is dismissed for two
The 27-year-old proved to be more than an able deputy as her burst of three wickets in her opening three overs set England on their way to an historic victory.
While it is the third time England have lifted the trophy, this win on a gloriously sunny day at the North Sydney Oval is the first time they have done so on foreign soil.
The triumph is the culmination of a golden year for England's women - which started with the retention of the Ashes down under last winter - and the manner in which it was achieved is testimony to the professionalism of the squad.
A superb opening spell by seamer Katherine Brunt ensured England held a firm grip on the game from the very start.
The first wicket to go was that of Kate Pulford , who cut Isa Guha straight to Claire Taylor, standing at gully, to leave New Zealand on 26-1.
But it was the introduction of Shaw which proved to be a turning point as she claimed two wickets in as many balls in her first over to leave the White Ferns reeling on 49-3.
Suzie Bates - the scorer of an astonishing 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match - was the first to go for just two, trying to hit over the top only to find Atkins at mid-on, while left-hander Amy Satterthwaite immediately followed, edging to keeper Sarah Taylor.
Shaw struck again in the 15th over with the wicket of captain Haidee Tiffen, who had looked dangerous before she was caught by Taylor for 30.
And, at 74-5, the Kiwis were in serious trouble as Sara McGlashan became Colvin's 50th one-day international victim.
Lucy Doolan was the undoubted star for New Zealand
McGlashan had looked in fine touch, hitting an aggressive 21 from 20 balls, before she was caught at mid-wicket by Greenway.
The sixth wicket soon fell with Laura Marsh bowling Mason (13) before Brunt returned to the attack in the 29th over and found the edge to send Sarah Tsukigawa back to the pavilion.
Doolan and Nicola Browne brought some stability to the New Zealand innings, with Doolan carving some fine shots.
However, when Doolan was dismissed by Marsh in the 45th over the wickets tumbled, with Edwards trapping Sophie Devine lbw for a duck and Shaw getting Browne (25) lbw.
England's next test is the Women's World Twenty20, which takes place on home soil in June - alongside the men's competition.
A few tears are shed as New Zealand and England line up for the anthems ahead of the Women's World Cup final in Sydney
Favourites England take control with Kate Pulford superbly caught by Claire Taylor off the bowling of Isa Guha
Suzie Bates, who scored 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match, is the first of Nicky Shaw's victims as she is dismissed for two
England bowler Laura Marsh is economical and provides fine back-up to player of the match Nicky Shaw, finishing with 2-32
Shaw, a late replacement for the injured Jenny Gunn, proves her worth by claiming 4-34 as the Kiwis are bowled out for 166
England make a fine start with the bat, as top scorer Caroline Atkins (40) adds 74 for the first wicket with Sarah Taylor
However, when Claire Taylor is bowled by Aimee Mason, England lose five wickets for 40 runs to set up a nervy finish
Lucy Doolan - who scored 48 with the bat - keeps New Zealand in the game by taking 3-23 in an impressive all-round display
When Beth Morgan becomes the sixth wicket to fall, England still need to score 18 runs to win, with four wickets remaining
But despite a few jittery moments, Holly Colvin and Nicky Shaw see England home with 23 balls to spare
The tears begin to flow once more as the England players' magnificent achievement sinks in - they are world champions
Late replacement Shaw is named as player of the match for her heroics in the final
Claire Taylor, playing her 109th one-day international, is chosen as player of the tournament
With the champagne uncorked, the celebrations can begin in earnest for the England players
Charlotte Edwards shares a word with head coach Mark Lane, who has been a major part of England's success in the past two years
With the World Cup secured, England's next target is the World Twenty20 on home soil in June
news.bbc.co.uk/sport
It is the third time the England women's team has won the World Cup, having previously won it in 1973 and 1993 (England's men were defeated by Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup Final).
England were the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament before it started, and were the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
New Zealand, nicknamed the Black Caps, batted first and were all out for 166, giving England a target of 167 to win at the North Sydney Oval in Australia..
England achieved that target, losing six wickets along the way, to be crowned World Champions.
England's next test is the Twenty20 World Cup (the World Cup for the shortened, 20 overs version of the game) which is being held in England in June. They should also be overwhelming favourites for that.
The men's Twenty20 World Cup also takes place in England in June.
England are World Cup champions for the first time since 1993 and the third time altogether, having also won it in 1973
By Aimee Lewis
BBC News
Cricket. Women's World Cup Final (North Sydney Oval, Sydney, Australia)
New Zealand: 166
England: 167-6
England win by four wickets
England: Sarah Taylor (wk), Caroline Atkins, Claire Taylor, Charlotte Edwards (capt), Lydia Greenway, Beth Morgan, Nicky Shaw, Holly Colvin, Laura Marsh, Katherine Brunt, Isa Guha.
New Zealand: Haidee Tiffen (capt), Kate Pulford, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Sara McGlashan, Aimee Mason, Nicola Browne, Sarah Tsukigawa, Lucy Doolan, Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest (wk).
The tears begin to flow once more as the England players' magnificent achievement sinks in - they are world champions
England outclassed New Zealand to win the Women's World Cup with a thrilling four-wicket victory in Sydney.
Nicki Shaw, a late replacement for the injured Jenny Gunn, was the unlikely hero, claiming 4-34 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 166 in 47.2 overs.
Openers Sarah Taylor (39 runs) and Caroline Atkins (40) calmly took England to within touching distance of the target.
England wobbled slightly - losing five wickets for 40 runs - but won with relative ease despite a nervy finish.
It was left to player of the match Shaw (17 not out)and Holly Colvin to steer the team over the finishing line, with the former hitting two timely boundaries to ease the tension when the pressure had seemed to be getting to England.
However, had it not been for the plucky Lucy Doolan, who hit a swashbuckling 48 for New Zealand and claimed 3-23, then England's victory would arguably have been trouble-free.
England celebrate their victory
Taylor, Atkins and captain Charlotte Edwards (10) all fell prey to the 21-year-old's off-spin as Doolan added a touch of intrigue to a match which, for the most part, seemed like an England procession.
Aimee Mason's removal of Lydia Greenway and the sloppy run-out of Beth Morgan, which left England on 149-6, ensured it was not a totally nerveless win.
But England's success had been shaped in the field where the clinical fashion in which the Kiwis were dismissed allowed for some breathing space despite a batting blip.
Shaw, who only learnt of her inclusion in the team 10 minutes before play when Gunn pulled out because of a calf injury sustained during the warm-up, was particularly impressive with her seam bowling.
Suzie Bates, who scored 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match, is the first of Nicky Shaw's victims as she is dismissed for two
The 27-year-old proved to be more than an able deputy as her burst of three wickets in her opening three overs set England on their way to an historic victory.
While it is the third time England have lifted the trophy, this win on a gloriously sunny day at the North Sydney Oval is the first time they have done so on foreign soil.
The triumph is the culmination of a golden year for England's women - which started with the retention of the Ashes down under last winter - and the manner in which it was achieved is testimony to the professionalism of the squad.
A superb opening spell by seamer Katherine Brunt ensured England held a firm grip on the game from the very start.
The first wicket to go was that of Kate Pulford , who cut Isa Guha straight to Claire Taylor, standing at gully, to leave New Zealand on 26-1.
But it was the introduction of Shaw which proved to be a turning point as she claimed two wickets in as many balls in her first over to leave the White Ferns reeling on 49-3.
Suzie Bates - the scorer of an astonishing 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match - was the first to go for just two, trying to hit over the top only to find Atkins at mid-on, while left-hander Amy Satterthwaite immediately followed, edging to keeper Sarah Taylor.
Shaw struck again in the 15th over with the wicket of captain Haidee Tiffen, who had looked dangerous before she was caught by Taylor for 30.
And, at 74-5, the Kiwis were in serious trouble as Sara McGlashan became Colvin's 50th one-day international victim.
Lucy Doolan was the undoubted star for New Zealand
McGlashan had looked in fine touch, hitting an aggressive 21 from 20 balls, before she was caught at mid-wicket by Greenway.
The sixth wicket soon fell with Laura Marsh bowling Mason (13) before Brunt returned to the attack in the 29th over and found the edge to send Sarah Tsukigawa back to the pavilion.
Doolan and Nicola Browne brought some stability to the New Zealand innings, with Doolan carving some fine shots.
However, when Doolan was dismissed by Marsh in the 45th over the wickets tumbled, with Edwards trapping Sophie Devine lbw for a duck and Shaw getting Browne (25) lbw.
England's next test is the Women's World Twenty20, which takes place on home soil in June - alongside the men's competition.
A few tears are shed as New Zealand and England line up for the anthems ahead of the Women's World Cup final in Sydney
Favourites England take control with Kate Pulford superbly caught by Claire Taylor off the bowling of Isa Guha
Suzie Bates, who scored 168 against Pakistan in New Zealand's previous match, is the first of Nicky Shaw's victims as she is dismissed for two
England bowler Laura Marsh is economical and provides fine back-up to player of the match Nicky Shaw, finishing with 2-32
Shaw, a late replacement for the injured Jenny Gunn, proves her worth by claiming 4-34 as the Kiwis are bowled out for 166
England make a fine start with the bat, as top scorer Caroline Atkins (40) adds 74 for the first wicket with Sarah Taylor
However, when Claire Taylor is bowled by Aimee Mason, England lose five wickets for 40 runs to set up a nervy finish
Lucy Doolan - who scored 48 with the bat - keeps New Zealand in the game by taking 3-23 in an impressive all-round display
When Beth Morgan becomes the sixth wicket to fall, England still need to score 18 runs to win, with four wickets remaining
But despite a few jittery moments, Holly Colvin and Nicky Shaw see England home with 23 balls to spare
The tears begin to flow once more as the England players' magnificent achievement sinks in - they are world champions
Late replacement Shaw is named as player of the match for her heroics in the final
Claire Taylor, playing her 109th one-day international, is chosen as player of the tournament
With the champagne uncorked, the celebrations can begin in earnest for the England players
Charlotte Edwards shares a word with head coach Mark Lane, who has been a major part of England's success in the past two years
With the World Cup secured, England's next target is the World Twenty20 on home soil in June
news.bbc.co.uk/sport
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