Hayley Matthews stars with bat and ball as West Indies avoid series whitewash and secure first points in new ICC Women’s Championship cycle

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Hayley Matthews delivered a captain’s performance to guide West Indies women’s cricket team to a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka women’s cricket team in the final ODI of the series. Although Sri Lanka had already sealed the series, West Indies ensured they would not suffer a 3-0 sweep, earning their first points in the new ICC Women’s Championship cycle with a composed chase of 218 in St George’s.

Matthews made her presence felt from the outset by dismissing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the opening over. Sri Lanka recovered through Harshitha Samarawickrama, who anchored the innings with a patient 70 off 112 balls, sharing a 78-run partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne. However, West Indies kept the scoring rate under control in the latter stages, with Karishma Ramharack striking at crucial intervals to restrict the visitors to 217.

In response, West Indies stumbled early as Qiana Joseph and Shemaine Campbelle were dismissed with just 12 runs on the board. Matthews, however, steadied the innings after a cautious start. Once settled, she took charge of the chase, forming a match-defining 124-run partnership with Stafanie Taylor, who climbed to second on the all-time ODI run-scorers list during her knock.

Matthews brought up her half-century in 48 balls and later completed her tenth ODI century in 118 deliveries. Although she fell shortly after reaching the landmark, the required rate was well under control. A composed 49-run stand between Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry ensured West Indies crossed the finish line comfortably, sealing a morale-boosting victory to close out the series.