Though happy to be back as the No 1 bowler in the ICC's [Images] women's ODI rankings, India skipper Jhulan Goswami [Images] was disappointed that India could only finish third in the women's World Cup, in Australia [Images].

England [Images] emerged champions, beating New Zealand [Images] in the final by four wickets.

Looking back on her time in the tournament Down Under, which included meeting her 'all-time idol' Glenn McGrath, Jhulan said the title was within the Indian team's reach.

"Losing to New Zealand was the turning point of the tournament. A little competitive approach with some good fielding back-up would have clinched us the tie against the Kiwis. It was simply not our day [against the Kiwis]. We fielded badly.

"We faced the West Indies [Images] in our next match and won the match hands down. If we had crossed the New Zealand hurdle, the title would have been well within our reach. It's very disappointing," she lamented.

The team, however, notched a high, beating Australia in Australia for the first time. And it happened twice in the space of seven days.

India, runners-up in the last edition of the tournament, finished third this time, beating defending champions Australia by three wickets in the play-off for third place. In the Super Six stage too, Australia had lost to India.

"For us, beating Australia on their home turf was a first; and the fact that we beat them twice, it was a big achievement. That will obviously be the best memory of mine in the World Cup," she said, talking about the positives that emerged from the tournament.

Australia had made a clean sweep of India in a five-ODI series in October-November 2008.

The 25-year-old captain also had a quiet conversation with McGrath, her all-time favourite.

"McGrath used to come to the lobby of our hotel. It feels great to have spoken to the great cricketer. He is a thorough gentleman," she said.

"We also met (Aussie medium-pacer) Brett Lee [Images] who had come for some official work during the match against Australia. It was really a memorable experience for us," he added.

Talking about the experience of leading the team for the first time in the World Cup, the ICC Women's Player for 2007 said, "Leading a side involves a lot of responsibility. There's a lot of expectation from you. You have to take decisions yourself. You have to stand by your decision."

Four wickets from the World Cup meant that Jhulan leapfrogged England's Isa Guha and Shelley Nitschke of Australia to regain her Number one spot in the ratings.

"It (the ranking) is indeed motivating. But we have to keep performing. As of now, we are taking a few days' rest and awaiting the domestic Twenty20 [Images] championship."

Her next target is the ICC World T20 for women, to be held alongside the men's World T20 in England.