Thu Dec 19 13:30:00 UTC 2024: **West Indies Women Level T20 Series Against India With Dominant Win**
Navi Mumbai, India – Hayley Matthews led the West Indies women’s cricket team to a resounding nine-wicket victory over India in the second T20 international at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium on December 17th. This win leveled the three-match series at 1-1, marking the West Indies’ first T20 victory over India since November 2016, snapping a nine-game losing streak.
Matthews delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. She claimed two wickets for 36 runs and then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 85 runs off 47 balls, studded with 17 fours. Her innings included a stunning assault on Radha Yadav in the 11th over, where she hit four consecutive boundaries en route to her 15th T20 fifty. She finished the match with a stylish cover drive.
India, batting first, posted 159/9, with Smriti Mandhana top-scoring on 62 runs, benefiting from three dropped catches. Richa Ghosh contributed 32 runs, but the other batters failed to provide significant support. Deandra Dottin (2/14) and Afy Fletcher (2/28) were the pick of the West Indies bowlers.
Qiana Joseph provided excellent support to Matthews, scoring a quick-fire 38 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed. Shemaine Campbelle added an unbeaten 29 runs in a crucial 94-run partnership with Matthews for the second wicket. The West Indies reached the target with 26 balls to spare.
Matthews expressed satisfaction with the team’s improved performance, highlighting the pace bowling of Dottin and Chinelle Henry as key to their success. She also praised Joseph’s aggressive batting, emphasizing the importance of consistent performances moving forward. The West Indies captain acknowledged the need for improvement in their fielding.
The final T20 of the series is scheduled for December 19th.
First Piper 