CANTERBURY, England — In the heart of a chilly English spring, Hayley Matthews delivered a scorching reminder of her world-class pedigree.
Yet even a breathtaking century from the captain could not carry the West Indies Women over the line, as England claimed a convincing win in the opening T20 International on Wednesday.
Matthews remained unbeaten on 100 from just 67 balls, a masterclass of control, power, and precision. Her innings accounted for nearly 70 per cent of the team’s total as West Indies stumbled to 146 for seven — a score that proved too modest to challenge a disciplined English batting side.
Coach Deitz: ‘Matthews is an absolute superstar’
Despite the defeat, head coach Shane Deitz had nothing but praise for his skipper, whose lone-handed innings held the visitors’ innings together.
“Hayley Matthews again stamped her authority on the game,” Deitz said. “Scoring 100 not out in a team total of 146 just proves once again she’s among the top players in the world and an absolute superstar. She played a fantastic knock and carried the team, but we were probably 20 or 30 runs short of where we wanted to be.”
It was a performance for the ages — but one that desperately needed reinforcement from the middle order, which failed to fire under pressure from England’s bowling attack.
Early spark fades as England dominate powerplay
The West Indies’ bowling unit started with promise. Emerging spinner Zaida James struck early, giving her side a glimmer of hope. But it was short-lived.
“Zaida started well, took a wicket, and we had a chance in the first over,” Deitz noted. “But we bowled too many four-balls, and they destroyed us in the powerplay. After that, we were always playing catch-up.”
England capitalized ruthlessly on loose deliveries and raced ahead with a powerful display in the opening overs. From there, the chase was never in doubt. The hosts reached the target with eight wickets in hand, sealing a dominant performance on home turf.
Finding silver linings: James, Mangru, and the road ahead
While the result was disappointing, Deitz emphasized the importance of focusing on positives. He highlighted James’ composure with the new ball and a promising late cameo from Mandy Mangru, which offered a glimpse of the team’s depth.
With the second T20 set for Friday in Hove, the team has already begun preparations with customized training sessions. Some players are undergoing intensive drills, while others are easing through recovery routines.
“We’ll also have to adapt better to the cold conditions,” Deitz acknowledged, underscoring the unfamiliar challenge the Caribbean side faces in the UK climate.
Next steps: Momentum needed to level the series
The path to redemption is narrow but navigable. With Hayley Matthews in imperious form and young players like Zaida James stepping up, the pieces are there. What’s needed now is cohesion — and contributions from every player wearing maroon.
If the West Indies can rally around their captain’s brilliance and deliver a more rounded performance, they may yet turn the tide in Hove.
Friday’s second clash promises more than just a game — it’s a chance to strike back, recalibrate, and rewrite the story.
