MCC congratulates world champions

Date released: 23 March 2009

MCC has sent its congratulations to England’s women cricketers after they won their third World Cup on Sunday. They capped off a fine campaign by beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final.

England’s bowlers reduced the White Ferns to 74 for 5 and 101 for 7 but some fine late hitting by Lucy Doolan took the New Zealanders up to 166 all out. Nicky Shaw finished with career-best figures of 4-34.

Caroline Atkins as an MCC YC at Lord's In contrast, England’s openers, Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins put on 74 for the first wicket, and Claire Taylor added a quick 21. Despite a middle order wobble, Shaw and Holly Colvin saw England home.

For MCC, there is added pride in the victory because several of the protagonists have strong links with the Club.

Player of the Match, Shaw, who was in the first intake of female MCC Young Cricketers (YCs), came through Loughborough University Centre of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE) – funded by MCC – and now coaches alongside Graham Dilley there.

Atkins, who was England’s top scorer, was an MCC YC and now sits on the MCC Women’s sub-committee, and current MCC YC Beth Morgan was an ever-present for England throughout the tournament. Morgan will return to Lord’s for training with the YCs in mid-April.

The MCC YCs are the only professional female cricketers in the country and train at Lord’s from April through to September.

Claire Taylor, the world’s number 1 ranked batswomen and MCC member, was named Player of the Tournament for her 324 runs.

John Stephenson John Stephenson, MCC Assistant Secretary (Cricket & Estates) said: “Everyone at Lord’s was delighted to see England win the World Cup – MCC sends them hearty congratulations. They’ve been the stand out team in the competition, brilliantly led by Charlotte Edwards and it was wonderful to see them lift the trophy they so richly deserve.

“It will be inspirational for young girls taking up cricket to have world cup winners as role models to look up to, and from MCC’s point of view, I’m sure the likes of Nicky Shaw, Caroline Atkins, Claire Taylor and Beth Morgan will prove inspirational to their MCC charges and team-mates in the coming season.”

Former England captain, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, who now sits on the MCC Committee, was thrilled to hear of England's success:

"I wish I could have been there. Charlotte Edwards has been an inspirational captain and I send the team my very heartiest congratulations. I can still vividly remember our victory in the first ever Womens World Cup at Edgbaston in 1973. We beat Australia by 92 runs, in the presence of Princess Anne, to win the Hayward Trophy - a Georgian Silver Chalice sponsored by Sir Jack Hayward, who at the time was Patron of the England Womens Cricket Association. Now that the ICC control the world women's game, this year's event has gained great media coverage which will raise the profile of the sport."