Edwards led England to a 4-0 home series win over India in 2006

England's women won their first match of the four-nation tournament, defeating hosts India by six wickets to claim third place in the event.

After being beaten twice each by New Zealand, Australia and India in the qualifying matches, the team finally hit form to overhaul a 220 target.

Teenage prodigy Sarah Taylor hit 52 and Claire Taylor guided them home with 22 balls remaining with an unbeaten 78.

New Zealand were beaten by six wickets in the final against Australia.

India chose to bat after winning the toss but soon had to rebuild after losing openers Karu Jain in the seventh over and Jaya Sharma six deliveries later.

Captain Mithali Raj hit 10 fours in her 53 from 63 balls, before becoming the first of three wickets for England's teenage left-arm spinner Holly Colvin.

Another teenage Sussex star, Taylor, got the England innings off to a fine start in partnership with Jenny Gunn.

We have all learnt a lot from the competition which we can now take forward Jenny Gunn

The right-handers rattled up 83 from 16 overs before Taylor was bowled, having struck six fours.

The more experienced Taylor, Claire, hit nine boundaries in her 78, sharing a calm fifth wicket stand of 67 in 13 overs with Laura Greenaway to guide England past the winning post.

"I think it shows the character of our side to come back so strongly and beat the hosts on home soil," skipper Charlotte Edwards enthused.

"It was our best all-round performance of the tour, with some girls like Jenny really showing their potential and giving us all something to build on for the future."

Gunn was delighted to play such a prominent part having been promoted up the order, and was named player of the match.

"I felt a lot more relaxed having been given a different role," she said. "Everyone was behind me 100% and that made me enjoy it all the more because I was relaxed.

"To pull out a win like this, after our previous outings throughout the series is a great confidence boost ahead of the summer series against New Zealand.

"We have all learnt a lot from the competition which we can now take forward."

Meanwhile, in the final, Australia, who lost their first two matches, sprang another surprise by defeating the Kiwis, who had won all but one of their six qualifying games.

Veteran fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who was 39 on Sunday, struck in the first over after New Zealand chose to bat.

Suzie Bates and captain Haidee Tiffin shared 53 in 12 overs but wickets fell regularly, Pike claiming 3-21, and the Kiwis were restricted to 177-9.

Australia openers Melissa Bulow and Shelley Nitschke amassed 120 within 23 overs in reply.

Though skipper Karen Rolton fell third ball, Lisa Sthalekar, afterwards named player of the tournament, hit an unbeaten 32 to seal victory with 11.4 overs remaining.