2009 Women's Cricket World Cup Approaches

It doesn't get the same attention as the men's World Cup but the women's cricket World Cup is about to get under way in Australia. Eight teams will be split into two groups of four. They will play each other once with the top six progressing to the Super Six's. Following that a final will be played.

This is the ninth time the World Cup will be played since the first one occurred in 1973 – ironically some two years before the first male tournament. The World Cup is returning to Australia after a 21 year absence.

Australia are the defending champions and have won the tournament five times; England have won it twice and New Zealand once.

The World Cup won't get anywhere near the attention that the Ashes 2009 will get but that shouldn't diminish the exploits of these fine cricketers.