West Indies Women Cricket Excitement in Barbados, West Indies

The West Indies Women cricket team delivered a commanding performance, securing a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in the third and final One Day International at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

 

Despite this win, the hosts conceded the three-match series 2-1.

 

The spotlight shone brightly on captain Hayley Matthews, who crafted a stellar 100-run innings, anchoring the successful chase of 218 runs.

 

This standout performance underscored her pivotal role in the team's lineup.

 

Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka Women chose to bat first but faced immediate challenges.

 

Matthews made an early impact with the ball, dismissing the formidable Chamari Athapaththu for a duck in her opening over.

 

Despite this setback, Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings with a composed 70-run contribution.

 

She received support from Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne, who added 27 and 26 runs respectively.

 

However, the West Indies bowlers maintained control over the scoring rate.

 

A late surge from Kavisha Dilhari, who remained unbeaten on 45, propelled the visitors to a competitive total of 217 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.

 

Matthews concluded her bowling spell with economical figures of two for 33, while off-spinner Karishma Ramharack also claimed two crucial wickets.

 

In response, the West Indies' chase began on a shaky note.

 

Matthews observed from the non-striker’s end as the top order faltered, losing Qiana Joseph for two and Shemaine Campbelle for a six-ball duck within the first four overs, leaving the score at a precarious 12 for two.

 

Demonstrating resilience, Matthews partnered with the experienced Stafanie Taylor to rebuild the innings.

 

The duo forged a significant 124-run partnership for the third wicket, shifting the momentum in favor of the home team.

 

During her innings of 38, Taylor achieved a personal milestone, becoming only the second player in history to surpass 6,000 runs in Women's ODI cricket.

 

Her steady presence allowed Matthews to play her natural game, culminating in her 10th ODI century—a testament to her dominance in the format.

 

Following Taylor’s departure, Chinelle Henry contributed a brisk 32 not out, and the dynamic Deandra Dottin added an unbeaten 24, guiding the West Indies to 218 for four with four overs to spare.

 

While this victory provided a morale boost for the home side, the series outcome was reflected in the post-match presentations.

 

Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama was honored as Player-of-the-Series for her consistent performances with the bat.

 

For the West Indies, this final match showcased their potential and served as a reminder of their class as they now shift their focus to the upcoming T20 series.

 

In related developments, the Barbados Royals recently clinched their third consecutive title in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) by narrowly defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets in a thrilling final at Providence.

 

This victory underscores the growing prominence and success of women's cricket in Barbados.

 

Additionally, the Barbados Under-19 Women's team secured the Rising Stars Women's Under-19 Championship title with a seven-wicket win over the Leeward Islands in a rain-affected final held in Trinidad.

 

These achievements highlight the depth of talent and the bright future of women's cricket in the region.

 

As the West Indies Women prepare for the T20 series, fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances and continued success on the field.