Women's World Cup - 2005

In the 2005 World Cup in South Africa, West Indies replaced Holland in the eight-team format with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals and then the final.

Australia qualified for the semi-finals after winning five matches and were joined by India and New Zealand (four matches each) and England (three wins).

West Indies won two matches whereas Sri Lanka and South Africa won a match each and Ireland remained winless.

In the semi-finals, Australia beat England by five wickets and India beat defending champions New Zealand by 40 runs to reach their first final.

However, the final proved to be a lop-sided affair for Australia who won their fifth World Cup with a 98-run victory.

Rolton was adjudged player-of-the-final for her 107 not out and also won the player-of-the-tournament award for scoring 246 runs and taking 10 wickets.

England’s Charlotte Edwards was the leading run-scorer with 280 runs (including three half-centuries) while India’s bowlers stole the bowling limelight with spinner Neetu David finishing on top of the ladder with 20 wickets, followed by fast bowlers Amita Sharma (14) and Jhulan Goswami (13).