Cricket

Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies Women's cricket team, acknowledges the team's recent decline but remains determined to bridge the gap with the world's top teams. Despite being ranked sixth in the T20 format, Matthews believes that the team is on the right track, citing the efforts of Cricket West Indies (CWI) to invest in grassroots development programs.Matthews emphasizes the importance of fostering a love for the game, recalling her own childhood experiences on cricket fields. She has taken over the captaincy from Stafanie Taylor, who led the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2016. Since then, West Indies has faced challenges in building depth due to limited resources.However, CWI has taken steps to address these issues, increasing the number of women on retainer contracts, introducing the Women's Rising Stars Under-19s program, and launching the West Indies Women's Academy. The senior team's budget has also been increased, allowing for improved travel arrangements.While these initiatives will take time to bear fruit, Matthews is committed to inspiring her team both on and off the field. She has been a standout performer for West Indies in recent months, scoring centuries and taking wickets in series against Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.Matthews draws inspiration from Taylor's leadership style, emphasizing the importance of setting an example and creating a positive team culture. She acknowledges that West Indies is an underdog at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh but believes that the team can surprise opponents with strong individual performances.The return of Deandra Dottin, who reversed her international retirement last week, could further boost West Indies' chances. Matthews remains cautious about commenting on Dottin's potential selection for the World Cup but acknowledges her ability to turn matches single-handedly.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has returned to the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season, signing a one-year deal as a pre-draft signing. Matthews' return comes after a disappointing debut season with the Renegades, where she struggled to replicate her impressive performances for the West Indies.Despite finishing as the Renegades' joint-leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, Matthews managed only 255 runs at an average of 19.61 and a strike rate of 114.34. The Renegades endured a forgettable campaign, finishing bottom of the table with just two wins.However, the Renegades are hopeful that Matthews' return, along with the availability of Sophie Molineux after injury and the potential addition of Tayla Vlaeminck, will boost their prospects for the 2024-25 season."We haven't achieved what we've wanted to the last couple of years but with some key members back and some new additions cooking up as well, I'm confident we can go out there and put it all together," Matthews said.Matthews is the fourth overseas player to be signed ahead of the WBBL draft, joining Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), and Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars).Meanwhile, in domestic moves, the two Sydney clubs have bolstered their pace attacks. Courtney Sippel has signed a three-year deal with the Sixers after moving from the Heat, while Taneale Peschel has joined the Thunder from the Perth Scorchers.Peschel, who was talked out of retirement by Thunder coach Lisa Keightley, is excited about the opportunity to play under her former Western Australia and Scorchers coach."At the Scorchers, I've been given…every opportunity, but I felt like I'd been stagnant for the last season or two," Peschel said. "I always play the safe card and I've always stayed in WA and thought, okay, I'm still getting opportunity, I'll stay here. I think just this year, something clicked.""I thought, I've got to try something else. I've got to stop playing a safe card. Who knows what something like a change to another team can offer my career."

The Barbados Royals, reigning champions of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), have bolstered their squad for the 2024 season with the acquisition of Sri Lankan superstar Chamari Athapaththu. The Royals have also retained key players from their title-winning campaign, including all-rounder Hayley Matthews and legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington.Athapaththu, a prolific batter and offspinner, brings a wealth of experience to the Royals. In 12 T20Is this year, she has amassed 371 runs, including a century against Scotland, and claimed 13 wickets. Her all-around abilities will be a valuable asset to the Royals' lineup.Matthews, who captained the Royals to victory last season, was a standout performer. She finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 191 runs at a strike rate of 132.63 and was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with seven. Her match-winning 82-run knock and two wickets in the final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors were crucial in securing the title.Wellington, meanwhile, was the second-highest wicket-taker in 2023 with eight scalps in five games at an impressive economy rate of 4.80. Her legspin will be a key weapon for the Royals in the upcoming season.In addition to Athapaththu, Matthews, and Wellington, the Royals have retained Laura Harris, Georgia Redmayne, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Qiana Joseph from their 2023 squad. These players provide a solid foundation for the team, with a mix of experience and emerging talent.The Royals still have six spots to fill, which will be determined through the WCPL draft later in July. The team will be aiming to defend their title and continue their dominance in the tournament.The WCPL 2024 will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven games taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The Royals will face off against the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the tournament.

The West Indies women's cricket team concluded their challenging tour of Sri Lanka on a triumphant note, securing a six-wicket victory in the third and final T20I in Hambantota. This victory sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 series win for the visitors.The West Indies' top three batters, Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews, and Shemaine Campbelle, played pivotal roles in the chase. Taylor and Matthews formed a solid opening partnership of 60 runs, while Matthews and Campbelle added another 51 runs. Campbelle remained unbeaten on 41 off 30 deliveries, guiding her team to victory with just one ball to spare.Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 141 for 7 after being put into bat. Chamari Athapaththu top-scored for the hosts with 38 runs, while Kavisha Dilhari contributed 26. However, the West Indies bowlers kept the Sri Lankan batters in check, with Aaliyah Alleyne and Chinelle Henry claiming two wickets each.The West Indies' victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. After losing the first T20I, they bounced back with a convincing win in the second match. In the final game, they showed their class by chasing down a challenging target with ease.Player of the Series Hayley Matthews played a key role in the West Indies' success. She scored 49 runs in the final match and took three wickets in the series. Her all-round performance was crucial in helping her team secure the series win.The West Indies' victory will give them confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. They will be looking to build on this momentum and make a strong impact in the tournament.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews' absence due to illness has dealt a significant blow to the team's hopes of salvaging the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Matthews, who missed the second ODI in Hambantota, will also sit out the third and final match on June 21.Matthews' absence is a major setback for West Indies, who have already conceded the series 2-0. The 24-year-old all-rounder has been a key figure for the team in recent years, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2022 Women's World Cup.In the nine ODIs she has played since the start of 2023, Matthews has scored 519 runs at an average of 74.14, including three centuries. She has also taken 11 wickets, the joint-highest with Afy Fletcher.Matthews' absence will be particularly felt in the batting department, where West Indies have struggled in the series so far. In the second ODI, they were bowled out for just 92 runs, their lowest total in ODIs since 2019.Shemaine Campbelle, who led the team in Matthews' absence in the second ODI, is likely to continue as captain for the third match. However, West Indies will need to find a way to replace Matthews' all-round contributions if they are to avoid a whitewash.Cricket West Indies (CWI) has expressed hope that Matthews will recover in time for the three-match T20I series, which begins on June 24 at the same venue.

West Indies' Hayley Matthews continued her exceptional form in Pakistan, leading her team to an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the final T20I in Karachi. Matthews' scintillating 78 off 59 deliveries propelled the visitors to a comfortable win, securing a 4-1 series triumph.Pakistan, batting first, made a promising start with a 38-run opening partnership between Ayesha Zafar and Sidra Ameen. However, West Indies' bowlers, led by legspinner Afy Fletcher, orchestrated a dramatic collapse. Fletcher claimed three wickets, while Qiana Joseph and Matthews chipped in with two each, restricting Pakistan to a modest 134 for 8.In response, West Indies displayed their dominance from the outset. Matthews, who had scored a century in the series opener, once again played a pivotal role. She shared a 103-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle (33*), guiding her team towards victory with ten balls to spare.Matthews' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting. She struck 11 boundaries, including three sixes, and reached her half-century in just 34 deliveries. Campbelle, playing a supporting role, ensured that West Indies maintained a steady run rate throughout their chase.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain Matthews' onslaught. Sadia Iqbal dismissed Rashada Williams early on, but Matthews and Campbelle proved too strong for the home side's attack. Nashra Sandhu eventually dismissed Matthews, but by then, West Indies were on the cusp of victory.The win capped off a memorable tour for Matthews, who emerged as the standout performer for West Indies. Her consistent brilliance with both bat and ball played a crucial role in her team's series triumph.

West Indies' women's cricket team clinched an unassailable 3-0 series lead over Pakistan in the T20I series after a thrilling two-run victory in the third match. The match witnessed a stunning collapse from Pakistan in the death overs, triggered by the brilliance of Hayley Matthews.Matthews, who has been in exceptional form throughout the series, once again led the charge for West Indies with a commanding 68 off 49 balls. Her innings guided the visitors to a competitive total of 132 for 5. Pakistan, in response, looked poised for victory at 115 for 2, with Sidra Ameen anchoring the chase with a well-crafted 63 off 58 balls.However, the match took a dramatic turn in the final overs. Matthews, who had already taken two wickets in the match, struck twice in as many deliveries to spark a stunning collapse. Pakistan lost six wickets for just 10 runs in 20 deliveries, handing West Indies an improbable victory.The hosts' implosion began when Matthews dismissed Ameen with a pinpoint yorker. The next ball, she trapped Fatima Sana in front of the stumps. The pressure mounted on Pakistan as Aaliyah Alleyne removed Nida Dar in the following over.With the momentum firmly in West Indies' favor, the hosts' nerves began to fray. A needless run-out and a rash shot from Sana further compounded their misery. Pakistan's hopes of a series win evaporated as they fell short by a mere two runs.The victory was a testament to the resilience and determination of the West Indies team. Matthews, in particular, was a standout performer, showcasing her all-round abilities with both bat and ball. Pakistan, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to overcome the psychological scars of their previous narrow defeats in the series.

West Indies' Hayley Matthews continued her impressive all-round form to lead her team to a dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I in Karachi. Matthews' 3 for 26 restricted Pakistan to a below-par 121 for 7, while her unbeaten 58 off 43 balls guided West Indies to a comfortable chase.Pakistan opted to bat first but struggled to gain momentum, with Gull Feroza's laborious 14 off 29 balls setting the tone for a slow start. Muneeba Ali's 55 off 47 balls provided some respite, but Pakistan's innings lacked impetus, reaching only 33 runs in the powerplay.Matthews' bowling proved decisive, as she dismissed Sidra Ameen early and then returned to claim two wickets in the final over, including the crucial scalp of Nida Dar. Pakistan's total of 121 looked inadequate on a pitch that appeared to offer more assistance to the batters.West Indies began their chase aggressively, with Matthews striking five boundaries in the first five overs. However, Pakistan's spin trio of Nashra Sandhu, Tuba Hassan, and Nida Dar slowed the scoring rate, restricting West Indies to six runs per over for the next six overs.Despite the slowdown, West Indies never lost control of the chase. Matthews' dismissal brought Shemaine Campbelle to the crease, but her dismissal by Tuba Hassan gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. However, Chedean Nation's boundary sealed the victory, completing a clinical performance by West Indies.The third T20I of the five-match series will be played on 30 April in Karachi, with West Indies on the verge of securing a series victory.

West Indies' Hayley Matthews continued her remarkable form with a stunning 141-run knock to lead her team to a comprehensive 88-run victory over Pakistan in the third and final ODI in Karachi. The victory sealed a clean sweep for the Caribbean side, who had also won the first two matches of the series.Matthews, who had scored an unbeaten 140 in the series opener, once again dominated the Pakistan bowling attack. She struck 19 boundaries in her 130-ball innings, anchoring the West Indies innings and setting the platform for a formidable total.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to contain Matthews and her teammates on a slow and sluggish pitch. First-change spinner Nashra Sandhu was the pick of the attack with 3 for 54, but her efforts were not enough to prevent the West Indies from posting a challenging 278 for 6.In response, Pakistan's batting lineup failed to rise to the occasion. Muneeba Ali top-scored with a modest 38, but the rest of the team struggled to make significant contributions. West Indies bowlers Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, and Karishma Ramharack shared the wickets, while Matthews chipped in with two crucial scalps.Matthews' all-round performance was a testament to her exceptional talent. She not only led the batting charge but also contributed with the ball, proving her worth as a genuine match-winner.The victory was a fitting end to a successful series for the West Indies, who will now turn their attention to the upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan. All five matches will be played in Karachi, giving the West Indies an opportunity to continue their winning ways.