BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Aiming to assert their superiority as the higher-ranked side, the West Indies Women, led by the indomitable Hayley Matthews, began their three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh Women with a commanding nine-wicket triumph on Sunday at Warner Park.
Player-of-the-Match Matthews delivered a scintillating all-round performance, capturing two wickets before hammering an unbeaten century in an innings that etched her name into cricketing history. With the team holding the upper hand, the skipper vowed to maintain their dominance in the upcoming matches.
A resounding start to the year
Reflecting on the emphatic victory, Matthews expressed satisfaction with her team’s effort and personal contribution.
“Pretty good start to the year,” Matthews remarked. “We came out here wanting a dominant performance, and I’m really happy I could contribute to the team’s success. As the higher-ranked side, we want to stamp our authority, and it’s fantastic to secure this 1-0 lead in the series. But we know there are two crucial games ahead that will be equally important.”
The win wasn’t just about points; it was preparation for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, a pivotal tournament for the team’s ambitions. Matthews emphasized the significance of this series in fine-tuning their skills.
“This is our only ODI series before the qualifiers, so it’s crucial preparation. If we use it well, we’ll be in great shape for the challenges ahead,” she added.
Matthews and Joseph shine bright
The match saw Matthews and opener Qiana Joseph produce a record-breaking partnership, amassing an unbroken 163-run stand, the third-highest for West Indies in Women’s ODIs. Matthews’ century came off just 92 balls, marking the second-fastest ODI hundred by a West Indian woman, trailing only Deandra Dottin’s 71-ball masterpiece.
Joseph, meanwhile, celebrated her maiden ODI half-century with a composed 70 in her 15th appearance. Matthews was effusive in her praise for her partner’s breakthrough performance.
“Kudos to Qiana—what a day for her first ODI fifty!” Matthews said. “She’s been improving so much over the past six months. It was special to share the crease with her and build such a big partnership. Hopefully, this is just the beginning for her.”
Milestone moments and focused minds
For Matthews, the match was a personal triumph, but she maintained a team-first perspective.
“As a batter, I don’t necessarily aim for accolades. I just want to be free and fluent at the crease,” she explained. “Today, I found the middle of the bat quite a few times, and luckily, I reached that milestone.”
The victory underscores the Windies Women’s readiness to take on greater challenges. Matthews made it clear that the team is focused on maintaining their momentum and using the series to sharpen their edge ahead of the qualifiers.
Looking ahead
With a 1-0 series lead and confidence running high, the West Indies Women are determined to close out the series with similar commanding displays. Matthews’ leadership and the team’s collective performance hint at a promising future.
“Two more games to go,” Matthews said. “They’re going to be super important, and we’re ready to take the challenge head-on.”
