England captain Charlotte Edwards said she was
"heartbroken" after the defending champions failed
to reach the final of the Women's World Cup.
.
England beat New Zealand by 15 runs in their
last Super Six match, but West Indies' victory over
Australia meant they could not qualify for the final.
.
"I'm proud of the way we've ended this match, but
bitterly disappointed in the grander scheme," said
Edwards.
.
"It's our own fault. Inconsistency at the start of the
World Cup cost us."
.
Edwards was referring a one-
wicket opening loss to Sri
Lanka in the group stages
and a two-run defeat against
Australia in the Super Sixes.
.
Those results meant England
needed Australia to beat West
Indies to have any chance of
avoiding an early exit.
.
However, all hopes were dashed
when, midway through the first
innings of their match against
the Kiwis, news filtered through
that Australia had lost their final
six wickets for 26 runs to slump
to an eight-run defeat against
the Windies.
.
It meant both England and New
Zealand were eliminated.