West Indies have been fined 10 percent of their match fees after being found guilty of maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Women’s T20 International against Australia in St. Vincent on Friday.

The sanction was imposed by Reon King of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees after the regional side was judged to be two overs short of the required rate, once time allowances had been taken into account.

Penalty applied under ICC Code of Conduct

The punishment was handed down in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which states that in minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time.

With West Indies ruled two overs behind, the team received a total fine of 10 percent of its match fee.

Captain Hayley Matthews admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning the matter was resolved without the need for a formal hearing.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Lauren Agenbag and Jacquline Williams, along with third umpire Candace La Borde and fourth umpire Maria Abbott.

Australia maintain upper hand

The over-rate penalty came in the wake of an Australian victory in Friday’s opener, with the visitors again showing their control in a closely fought second match a few days later.

The two teams are scheduled to meet once more in the final T20I Tuesday, before shifting to Basseterre for a three-match One-Day International series.

Devynne Charlton further cemented her place among the greats of women’s sprint hurdling on Sunday, matching her own world record to win a third consecutive World Indoor 60-meter hurdles title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.

The Bahamian standout stopped the clock at 7.65 seconds, equaling the mark she produced to win gold in Glasgow in 2024 and becoming the first woman to win the title three times.

A final worthy of the stage

Charlton’s victory came at the end of a high-caliber final that delivered both speed and drama from the gun to the line.

The Netherlands’ Nadine Visser took silver in 7.73 seconds, while Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska thrilled the home crowd by posting the same time. She was awarded bronze after finishing just five thousandths of a second behind Visser, and her performance also earned her a Polish record.

The quality of the race was underscored by the depth of the field, with all eight finalists clocking 7.90 or faster. Switzerland’s world 100m hurdles champion Ditaji Kambundji finished fourth in 7.75 seconds, while Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds equaled her personal best of 7.82 seconds to place fifth.

Semi-finals hinted at something special

The signs were there well before the final.

In the semi-finals, Skrzyszowska and Kambundji had both run a joint world-leading 7.76 seconds, sending a clear warning to the field. Charlton, however, responded emphatically in the next race, producing a 7.74 seconds despite easing slightly as she crossed the line.

Just over an hour later, the finalists returned to the track, with Charlton drawn in lane six next to home favorite Skrzyszowska.

Charlton did not execute a flawless opening, but her composure and closing strength once again separated her from the field.

“I didn’t have the best start, I stumbled a bit but I tried to fix it as fast as I could,” said Charlton, who now adds this third world indoor title to a medal collection that also includes bronze from 2022.

That latest triumph also deepened her mark on championship history. Charlton now owns three of the four fastest winning times ever recorded at the World Indoor Championships: 7.65, 7.65, and 7.72 seconds.

“I knew I had run the world record,” she added. “I knew I had it when I crossed the finish line. I know I could have run a bit faster, too, but not having the best start, I will take it. Since Glasgow, I have been improving a lot, and today I am really proud to win my third world indoor title in a row.”

Visser and Skrzyszowska rise to the moment

Though Charlton claimed the spotlight, the race also brought major moments for the medalists behind her.

Visser added silver to the bronze medal she won in 2018, and she acknowledged the level required to challenge for gold.

“I had to run a record to win, that is why I have to stay happy that I came second, I did my best race,” she said. “I still have some space in which to improve, especially over my first hurdle and with my acceleration from the blocks.”

For Skrzyszowska, bronze carried both national significance and personal meaning. Her medal was the second hurdles medal for host nation Poland, following Jakub Szymański’s victory in the men’s event on day two.

“Polish hurdling is becoming a global power,” said the 2024 world indoor bronze medalist. “I did a strong dip at the finish line, and it paid off. Honestly, I do not know which medal I rate more highly. The one from Glasgow gave me the belief that I could do it, but each of them means a lot to me.”

Bahamas shows its depth

Charlton was not the only Bahamian athlete to leave a mark on the event.

She was joined in the final by compatriot Denisha Cartwright, who finished seventh in 7.90 seconds. The Bahamas nearly placed a third athlete in the championship race as well, with Charisma Taylor missing qualification by just five thousandths of a second after running a personal best 7.91 seconds.

Taken together, the performances offered a powerful reminder that Bahamian hurdling is not defined by one star alone, even if Charlton continues to set the standard.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — West Indies Women captain Hayley Matthews took encouragement from her team’s stronger all-around performance on Saturday, saying the side showed the kind of fight and structure it wanted, even as a 17-run defeat to Australia Women confirmed the loss of the T20 International series.

After falling heavily in the opening match, the home side responded with far greater resistance in the second contest, challenging Australia more deeply and producing the kind of batting partnerships and late control Matthews had wanted to see.

Australia surged early, but West Indies clawed their way back

Australia appeared poised for an even bigger total after openers Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney tore through the Powerplay, piling up 54 runs in the first six overs and setting the foundation for a commanding innings.

But West Indies refused to allow the match to run away from them.

The hosts rallied impressively at the back end of the innings, tightening their grip in the closing overs to restrict Australia to 164 for five from 20 overs, a total that, while still challenging, gave them a genuine chance to compete.

Matthews said that response with the ball reflected a stronger mental effort from her team.

“It certainly was a really good fightback from us, I think, in the bowling innings, as well when you talk about mentally. So, going on to the next game now we just have to put it all together.”

Matthews leads batting revival

In reply, Matthews ended her lean patch with a timely half-century, anchoring the chase and helping to restore momentum to the West Indies innings.

She found important support from Stafanie Taylor, who made 22, as the pair put on 77 runs for the second wicket and moved the team into a promising position at 90 for one.

Later, Deandra Dottin added further urgency with an unbeaten 39 off 28 balls, keeping the chase alive and ensuring Australia had to work for the victory rather than coast to it.

For Matthews, the improvement was not merely in the numbers, but in the way the innings was built.

“One thing that we really wanted to focus on was putting together some partnerships and having two batters at the crease for a longer period of time, and it was really good to see that we had a few of them today.

“Different people put their hands up; Stafanie in the middle, myself and Deandra coming at the end and looking really, really good too,” Matthews said.

Signs of progress after heavy opening loss

The West Indies captain made it clear that, despite the disappointment of conceding the series, she saw meaningful progress from the first match, which Australia won by 43 runs.

This time, the Caribbean side competed with greater composure, recovered well after Australia’s explosive start, and stayed in contention far longer with the bat.

That, Matthews suggested, offered a more encouraging platform heading into the final game of the series.

Henry’s absence loomed large

Matthews also acknowledged that West Indies were hindered by the loss of Chinelle Henry, who was unable to bat after suffering an injury in the field.

The captain said Henry’s absence significantly weakened the batting order and may well have altered the outcome.

“… We obviously missed Chinelle Henry today, who is one of the premier batters in the world, out of our line-up after she got injured.

“You never know her coming into bat today definitely could have meant a different result, too, so it was unfortunate not to have her …” Matthews said.

A defeat, but not without encouragement

Although the result handed Australia the series, Matthews’ assessment reflected a team beginning to correct some of the issues that undermined it in the opener.

The partnerships were stronger. The response under pressure was steadier. The effort, in her view, was unmistakably better.

Now, with one match remaining, West Indies will look to turn that progress into a complete performance.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — Hayley Matthews produced the innings West Indies Women desperately needed, but Australia Women’s consistency and control again proved too strong, as the visitors claimed a 17-run victory on Saturday to wrap up the T20 International series with a match to spare.

Matthews, who had acknowledged before the game that she was working through a batting slump, responded with a determined 56 off 41 balls. Even so, West Indies could manage only 147 for four in 20 overs, finishing short of Australia’s 164 for five at the Arnos Vale Ground.

The result handed Australia an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and marked their fourth consecutive T20I series win over West Indies Women. The teams are scheduled to meet again at the same venue on Monday.

Australia’s openers set the tone

After winning the toss and choosing to bat for the second straight game, Australia came out with purpose.

Openers Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney put West Indies immediately under pressure, racing to 54 runs in the Powerplay. Voll drove the early assault, hammering 39 off 23 balls with six fours and one six before she was caught at mid-on off Karishma Ramharack.

Mooney, who had been named Player of the Match in the first T20I, never looked fully settled. She made 17 off 20 balls before misjudging a delivery from leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, who bowled her and claimed her 100th T20I wicket, leaving Australia 71 for two.

Perry and Litchfield push Australia ahead

With the innings reset, Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield rebuilt and then accelerated.

Perry top-scored with 42 off 28 balls, while Litchfield made 35 off 29, the pair combining for a 58-run partnership for the third wicket that moved Australia to 129 for two and placed them in a commanding position.

At that point, the visitors looked capable of pushing toward 180, but West Indies produced a timely correction. Matthews had Litchfield caught at deep midwicket, and the home side followed that breakthrough with a disciplined finish. Australia’s last three overs yielded only 20 runs and cost them two wickets, preventing an even steeper target.

Matthews and Taylor revive the chase

West Indies’ reply began shakily when Qiana Joseph was run out for 11, with the score on just 13.

From there, Matthews and Stafanie Taylor gave the innings shape and momentum. Their 77-run stand for the second wicket briefly shifted the pressure back onto Australia and suggested the chase might open up.

Matthews’ knock was a study in recovery. She managed only one run from her first 11 balls, but gradually found rhythm and control. She brought up her eighth T20I half-century in 38 balls, glancing pacer Tahlia McGrath to fine leg for four.

Turning point swings match back to Australia

Just as West Indies appeared poised to mount a serious late charge, Australia struck the decisive blow.

Attempting to accelerate, Matthews hit spinner Alana King straight to captain Sophie Molineux at mid-off, departing with West Indies 90 for two in the 13th over.

From there, the innings stalled. King then removed Taylor, whose 22 off 27 balls had provided support but little late urgency, and Georgia Wareham dismissed Shemaine Campbelle for six. Suddenly, West Indies had slipped to 113 for four in the 18th over, and the chase had lost its momentum.

Dottin battles on, but target stays out of reach

Deandra Dottin fought to the finish with an unbeaten 39 off 28 balls, but by then the equation had grown too steep.

With West Indies needing 41 runs from the final two overs, the outcome was effectively beyond reach, and Australia closed out another composed victory.

King was central to that effort, finishing with 2-25 from four overs and earning the Player-of-the-Match award.

Australia’s grip remains intact

For West Indies, Matthews’ return to form was an encouraging note, and the chase contained periods of genuine promise. But Australia again demonstrated why they remain such a difficult side to dislodge: a sharp start, a stabilizing middle phase, and the ability to strike at the critical moment.

The series is now decided, and the final match on Monday will offer West Indies one last opportunity to break Australia’s hold and avoid a sweep.

Raymond Richards gave Jamaica another moment of pride on Saturday, soaring to bronze in the men’s high jump to secure the country’s third medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.

But while Richards delivered on the field, the rest of Day Two unfolded as a story of narrow misses, cruel margins, and one painful disqualification that robbed Jamaica of what appeared to be another podium finish.

By the close of competition at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Jamaica had added one bronze medal to the two silver medals won on Friday. Yet the delegation left the second day with every reason to believe the total might have been even greater.

Richards answers the call again

Richards once again proved his value on the global stage, clearing a season’s best 2.26 meters to claim bronze in the men’s high jump. It marked the second bronze medal of his senior career, following the podium finish he earned at last year’s World Indoor Championships.

He shared third place with South Korea’s Sanghyeok Woo, with both men producing identical clearances through 2.17m, 2.22m, and 2.26m before failing at 2.30m.

The gold medal went to Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk, while Mexico’s Erick Portillo took silver. Both cleared 2.30m, with Doroshchuk awarded the title on countback.

Jamaica had a second presence in the final through Romaine Beckford, who cleared 2.22m but could not negotiate 2.26m, leaving him joint ninth.

So close in the sprints

Jamaica’s women came within touching distance of a medal in the 60 meters, but not close enough to rewrite the final order.

Brianna Lyston finished fourth in 7.05 seconds, matching her season’s best, while Jonielle Smith was fifth in 7.06 seconds in a final won by Italy’s Zaynab Dosso in 7.00 seconds. Jacious Sears of the United States took silver in 7.03 seconds, the same time credited to St Lucia’s Julien Alfred, who secured bronze.

Both Jamaicans had looked sharp on the way through. In the opening round, Smith won heat three in 7.13 seconds, and Lyston took heat six in 7.06 seconds. Smith then produced one of Jamaica’s standout performances of the session in the semi-finals, winning her race in a personal best 7.03 seconds, while Lyston advanced as a non-automatic qualifier after placing third in a loaded semi-final in 7.05 seconds.

Their progress set up hopes of a medal push, but the final proved just beyond reach.

Prince beaten by the smallest of margins

If the women’s 60 meters brought disappointment, the men’s 60-meter hurdles delivered heartbreak in its most exact form.

Demario Prince ran a lifetime best 7.43 seconds in the final, only to miss bronze by nine-thousandths of a second. He was credited with the same listed time as American Trey Cunningham, but Cunningham was awarded third after crossing in 7.421 seconds, compared with Prince’s 7.430 seconds.

The race was won by Poland’s Jakub Szymański in 7.40 seconds, with Spain’s Enrique Llopis taking silver in a national record 7.42 seconds.

Prince’s performance nevertheless represented another step forward. He had opened his campaign by winning his first-round heat in 7.58 seconds, then returned to clock 7.53 seconds for second place in his semi-final and automatic qualification for the final.

The event brought contrasting fortunes for Jamaica’s other entrant, Jerome Campbell. After safely advancing from the opening round with third place in heat four in 7.67 seconds, Campbell’s semi-final unraveled when he struck the first hurdle, lost momentum, and finished well back before later being disqualified.

Relay joy turns to protest and pain

For a brief period, Jamaica appeared to have secured another bronze medal in the mixed 4×400-meter relay.

The quartet of Delano Kennedy, Shana-Kaye Anderson, Kimar Farquharson, and Leah Anderson fought hard to finish third in 3:17.13 minutes, capping an intense race with what looked like a place on the podium. But that result did not stand.

After an extended review, officials disqualified Jamaica for a violation of Technical Rule 24.22, relating to the baton exchange. The ruling centered on the first exchange, with officials determining that the outgoing runner on the anchor leg had been over the start line when receiving the baton. Jamaica lodged an appeal, but the decision was upheld.

The disqualification elevated host nation Poland to bronze in 3:17.44 minutes, behind Belgium, which won gold in 3:15.60 minutes, and Spain, which took silver in 3:16.96 minutes.

What had looked like a second bronze medal for Jamaica on the day instead became one of the championship’s harshest setbacks.

Middle-distance hopes fade

Jamaica’s hopes in the 800 meters ended in the semi-finals during the morning session.

Natoya Goule-Toppin placed fourth in her semi-final in 2:00.69 minutes, an improvement on the 2:01.32 minutes she ran in the opening round, but not enough to progress.

In the men’s event, Navasky Anderson, competing at his first World Indoor Championships, finished third in his semi-final in 1:46.65 minutes. He missed the automatic qualifying places and was unable to advance, despite having run 1:46.34 minutes in the first round.

Falls short in triple jump

In the women’s triple jump, Shantae Foreman placed 17th with a best effort of 12.35 meters, bringing Jamaica’s involvement in that event to a quiet close.

With three medals overall and a handful of performances that hovered just outside the podium, Jamaica closed Day Two in 12th place on the medal table. The standing reflected both achievement and frustration: Richards had delivered again, but several other opportunities had slipped away through the finest of margins and a costly relay infringement.

Attention now shifts to the final day, where Jamaica will still have chances to add to its tally. Carey McLeod and Tajay Gayle are set for the men’s long jump, while Nia Robinson will contest the women’s long jump in her major global championship debut. Megan Simmonds and Oneka Wilson are also due in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, and the men’s 4×400-meter relay team will chase a place on the podium.

For now, however, Day Two belongs most clearly to Richards, the man who rose above the bar, and above the chaos around him, to keep Jamaica in the medals.

MANCHESTER, England — Khadija “Bunny” Shaw produced a devastating first-half masterclass on Saturday, scoring a record-breaking hat-trick as Manchester City overwhelmed Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 and moved another step closer to the Women’s Super League title.

The Jamaican forward needed just 13 minutes to complete her treble, striking in the eighth, 18th, and 21st minutes to deliver the fastest hat-trick in WSL history. It was another ruthless display from the league’s most prolific scorer and yet another nightmare for Tottenham, who once again had no answer for Shaw at home.

Her three-goal burst not only set a new league mark, but also gave her a fourth consecutive home league hat-trick against Spurs, a remarkable streak that underlined her sustained dominance in this fixture.

A ruthless opening blitz

Manchester City seized control early, with Shaw setting the tone almost immediately. Her opener came in the eighth minute, the first of three headers that exposed Tottenham’s vulnerability in the air and City’s superiority on set-pieces.

Spurs briefly responded when Olivia Holdt slipped behind the City defense to level the score at 1-1 in the 15th minute, but the reprieve was fleeting.

Three minutes later, Shaw restored City’s advantage. By the 21st minute, she had completed her hat-trick, again punishing Tottenham with her aerial power and precision. Every one of her goals came with her head, as City repeatedly turned dead-ball situations into decisive weapons.

City pile on before the break

Shaw’s explosive start laid the foundation, but City were not done.

Brazilian forward Kerolin added a fourth in the 37th minute, scooping home from Lauren Hemp’s pull-back as Tottenham’s resistance continued to unravel. Then, just before halftime, City found a fifth when Amanda Nilden turned Vivianne Miedema’s header into her own net in the 45th minute.

By the interval, the match had already been effectively settled.

The hat-trick lifted Shaw to 18 goals in 18 WSL matches, extending her lead as the division’s top scorer and reinforcing her central role in City’s title charge.

More importantly for City, the victory pushed them to 46 points from 18 matches, leaving them eight points clear at the top of the table. Manchester United sit second on 38 points, while defending champions Chelsea are third on 37. Arsenal, in fourth on 35 points, still have two games in hand, but City’s latest result increased the pressure on every challenger.

“The most important thing was the win”

Despite her individual milestone, Shaw made it clear that the larger objective remained firmly in focus.

“The most important thing for me was the win, because that puts us closer to the title,” Shaw said in a post-match interview.

“So, I think getting the win and getting the quickest hat-trick [in WSL history] is a wonderful feeling.”

Her comments reflected both satisfaction and perspective: the record mattered, but the race for the championship mattered more.

More than a goal scorer

City head coach Andrée Jeglertz praised Shaw not only for her finishing, but for the broader impact she continues to have on the team.

“She’s a great player. She’s scoring goals for us, we always talk about that, but how she works defensively.

“At set plays but also in the press, she’s improved on that a lot during the year, but also in setting up team-mates.

“There’s a lot of things in her today that she should be proud of, and the team should be proud of. I’m really happy for that.”

Jeglertz’s assessment captured the full scope of Shaw’s influence. On a day when her goals will claim the headlines, City’s coach was just as eager to highlight the discipline, pressing, and all-around development that continue to elevate her game.

A defining statement in the title race

For Manchester City, this was more than a comfortable win. It was a forceful statement from a side determined to finish the season on top. For Shaw, it was another unforgettable chapter in a season filled with decisive contributions and historic moments.

And for Tottenham, it was a harsh reminder that when Bunny Shaw finds space, rhythm, and service, she can put a match out of reach before the contest has truly begun.

On a day that began with title pressure and expectation, Shaw responded with history, and with the kind of performance that may prove decisive in City’s pursuit of the WSL crown.