BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – On an electrifying Monday evening at the iconic 3W’s Oval, the West Indies Women scripted a thrilling six-wicket victory over South Africa Women, clinching a historic 2-1 T20I series win—their first over the Proteas in more than a decade.
Captain Hayley Matthews, fresh off her recognition as Cricket West Indies’ Women’s T20I Player of the Year, delivered yet another masterclass, crafting a fluent 65 from 50 balls. Her efforts were ably complemented by vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, whose composed 42 anchored a match-defining partnership and paved the way for a triumphant chase of 148.
The victory marked the Caribbean side’s first T20I series win against South Africa since 2013, rekindling memories of past dominance while affirming a new era under Matthews’ dynamic leadership.
Smith shines for South Africa in strong start
South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss, and found early rhythm through their top order. A dazzling unbeaten half-century from 20-year-old Miane Smith—her first in T20I cricket—helped the visitors post a competitive 147 for six.
Smith played with a composure beyond her years, compiling 59 not out from 38 deliveries, punctuated by seven boundaries and a lofted six. She emerged as the lone standout in a faltering middle order, which was effectively neutralized by West Indies’ clever use of spin.
Karishma Ramharack led the bowling effort with an economical 2-18, while Afy Fletcher chipped in with 2-28. Matthews, too, stifled the scoring with tight lines, keeping the Proteas in check during the middle overs.
Early wickets jolt WI run chase
Chasing 148 for victory, West Indies found themselves in early trouble. Opener Qiana Joseph departed with just 17 on the board, and Realeanna Grimmond followed shortly after for five, bowled by the persistent Ayabonga Khaka. At 32 for two in the sixth over, the pressure was firmly on the home side.
But Matthews, unbothered by the early setbacks, unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes to seize back momentum. In the eighth over, she dismantled Khaka’s rhythm with a six and two fours, collecting 18 runs in that over alone. Another boundary off Nonkululeko Mlaba pushed her into the 40s, and she brought up her 19th T20I half-century with a scrappy two off the final delivery of the 11th over.
82-run stand anchors the chase
Campbelle joined Matthews to stitch together a crucial 82-run partnership across 10 overs, steadying the ship with calculated aggression and precise shot selection. Their stand propelled West Indies to 110 for two by the 15th over, needing just 38 runs from 30 balls—a seemingly straightforward equation.
But the contest twisted once more when Matthews, after hitting nine fours and one six, was bowled off her pads by spinner Sune Luus. Campbelle then handed Marizanne Kapp a tame caught-and-bowled chance, triggering nervous flutters in the home dugout with the score at 136 for four.
Henry’s late surge seals the deal
Needing 12 runs from the final 13 deliveries, Chinelle Henry stepped up with nerves of steel. She launched Tumi Sekhukhune for a six and a four in successive balls, then sealed the series with a cover-driven two that sent the crowd into raptures.
Henry remained unbeaten on 20 off 11 balls, including two boundaries and a six—her late cameo proving the decisive blow in a gripping finale. Kapp was the pick of South Africa’s bowlers with 2-27, but it was not enough to deny the hosts a long-awaited series victory.
A victory years in the making
This series win was more than a statistical achievement—it was a declaration of resurgence. “To win a series against South Africa after such a long time, and to do it here in front of our fans—it means everything,” Matthews said after collecting both Player-of-the-Match and Player-of-the-Series honors.
The Caribbean women now look ahead with renewed belief, their skipper leading from the front, their squad showing depth, and their legacy rediscovering momentum.
