Australia and England were forced to share the points after rain washed out their opening match at the Women's Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

The rain came between innings on Tuesday and prevented Australia beginning it's run chase after England posted 7-169 from it's 50 overs after winning the toss at the Technikon Oval in Pretoria.

England looked content to see off the new ball threat of Aussie quick Cathryn Fitzpatrick, but when medium pacer Julie Hayes removed both openers, and Clare Connor fell without scoring, England had slumped to 3-63.

Clare Taylor (24) set about trying to rebuild the innings, with Australia's seamers proving hard to get away. The middle-order fell trying to up the tempo, and when Rosalie Birch was run out England were in trouble at 6-102.

All-rounder Jenny Gunn then weighed in with an unbeaten 40 off 50 balls to help boost her side's total as she added 41 for the eighth wicket with `keeper Jane Smit.

Hayes finished as the best of the Aussie bowlers with 2-32 from her ten overs, with Fitzpatrick, Karen Rolton, Emma Liddell and Lisa Sthalekar picking up one wicket each.

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