Hayley Matthews, the inspirational captain of the West Indies Women’s team, has added another prestigious accolade to her already impressive résumé.
The 27-year-old all-rounder was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for June, outshining her own teammate Afy Fletcher and South African opener Tazmin Brits for the honor.
This latest triumph marks Matthews’ fourth time winning the award, placing her level with Australia’s Ash Gardner for the most ICC Women’s Player of the Month titles in history.
Dominance against South Africa
Matthews’ recognition comes on the back of an exceptional all-round performance in the recently concluded ODI and T20I series against South Africa in Barbados.
She played a pivotal role in guiding the West Indies Women to a 2-1 T20I series victory over South Africa, their first T20I series win against the Proteas in 12 years. Her performances were as commanding as they were consistent: T20I series: 147 runs at an outstanding average of 73.50 with a strike rate of 120.49, along with two wickets. ODI series: 104 runs at 34.66 and four wickets, underlining her value in all facets of the game.
It was a month that encapsulated her class, resilience, and match-winning ability.
Matthews: “Recognition is appreciated, but the focus is forward”
Upon receiving news of her award, Matthews expressed both gratitude and determination.
“It’s an honor to receive the Player of the Month award again,” she said. “I’ve been pleased with my form recently, but more importantly, it’s been great to contribute to the team’s success—especially in a hard-fought T20I series against South Africa.”
Even as she celebrated the personal milestone, Matthews kept her sights firmly on future ambitions.
“Recognition like this is appreciated, but my focus remains on what’s ahead. There’s a lot more I want to achieve, both personally and with this team. We’re heading in the right direction, and I’m excited about where we can go from here.”
A leader who inspires
Matthews’ leadership continues to drive a revitalized West Indies Women’s side. Under her captaincy, the team has shown renewed competitiveness and resilience, with her own performances setting the standard.
By balancing prolific batting with impactful bowling, she has become the cornerstone of West Indies’ resurgence and a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of Caribbean cricketers.
With this award, Matthews not only cements her status as one of the premier all-rounders in world cricket but also signals her hunger for even more success. As the West Indies Women look toward future challenges, Matthews remains the linchpin of their aspirations—both as a player and as a leader.
