BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – West Indies Women’s skipper Hayley Matthews once again rose to the occasion, crafting a composed and unbeaten 63 to steer her side to a tense six-wicket victory over South Africa Women in the second T20 International at the 3W’s Oval on Sunday.
With the series now tied 1-1, all eyes turn to Monday’s high-stakes decider.
It was a true captain’s knock—measured, resilient, and ultimately match-winning—as Matthews struck five boundaries and a six in her 56-ball innings. Supported by an unbroken 39-run partnership with Jannillea Glasgow, Matthews guided the home side to 116 for four, successfully chasing South Africa’s 113 for six with just four deliveries to spare.
Disciplined bowling and brilliant fielding restrict South Africa
Sent in to bat first, South Africa made a steady start through openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who compiled a 30-run stand in the opening five overs. But their momentum stalled after Wolvaardt fell to young pacer Jahzara Claxton for a run-a-ball 16.
From that point, West Indies seized control with the ball and in the field. Spin duo Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack sparked a collapse that saw South Africa tumble to 71 for five by the 14th over. Fletcher, extracting turn and bounce, struck twice to remove both Brits and Nadine de Klerk, while Ramharack accounted for Miane Smith and Chloe Tryon with precision bowling.
Only Annerie Derksen (21 not out off 17) and Karabo Meso (14 not out off 19) showed resistance, guiding South Africa beyond the 100-run mark with a resilient 34-run stand for the seventh wicket. Fletcher finished with a superb spell of 2-13 from four overs, and Ramharack chipped in with 2-25, backed by sharp fielding throughout the innings.
Early setbacks in chase, but Matthews stands tall
Chasing a modest target of 114, West Indies began confidently with a 41-run opening stand between Matthews and Qiana Joseph. However, South Africa clawed back with a flurry of quick wickets.
Joseph departed for 17, caught off the bowling of Ayabonga Khaka, before debutant Shawnisha Hector (3) and Shemaine Campbelle (7) fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts wobbling at 70 for three. When Chinelle Henry was trapped leg-before by Nonkululeko Mlaba for just three, South Africa scented an unlikely comeback.
But Matthews remained unshaken.
Nerves of steel in the final overs
With the match hanging in the balance, Matthews found a cool-headed partner in Jannillea Glasgow. Together, they stitched together a vital 39-run stand, slowly dismantling the South African resistance. Matthews brought up her 18th T20I half-century with a single in the 18th over, calmly marking a milestone in a pressure-filled chase.
Requiring 16 runs from the final two overs, Matthews went on the offensive. She struck Masabata Klaas for a six and a four in the penultimate over, reducing the target to just three runs from six deliveries. Glasgow then sealed the win with authority, pulling Nadine de Klerk’s second ball of the final over to the boundary.
Matthews’ innings, marked by poise and tactical acumen, rightfully earned her the Player of the Match award.
With the three-match series now squared at 1-1, momentum is firmly with the West Indies Women heading into Monday’s decisive encounter. If Matthews and her side can reproduce the composure and discipline shown on Sunday, a memorable series victory could be just one more inspired performance away.
