These days, Hayley Matthews must have a significant influence on a game if the West Indies are to perform effectively. It’s practically a given. And a prime example is the most recent Twenty20 International series, which the West Indies have recently won 2-1 over South Africa. South Africa won the first game, and she lost. West Indies won, and she performed well in the second and third innings. West Indies needed to chase 148 to win the series on Monday, and Matthews’ 65, helped along by Shemaine Campbelle’s 42, got them over the finish line with nine balls remaining.
Early in the pursuit, wickets were lost. After a combined score of 11 off 13 balls, Qiana Joseph and Realeanna Grimmond were out by the end of the powerplay. The good news for the West Indies was that Matthews had faced the majority of the balls during that time.
As a result, the scoreboard showed 36 for 2, with Matthews scoring 20 runs per ball.
With two fours and a six against Ayabonga Khaka in the eighth, she took off on that platform and was suddenly 38 off 27. By the time she was removed by Sune Luus in the 16th over, Matthews had reached 65 in 50 and West Indies need 34 from 28 balls. The half-century came up off 39 balls. The series was West Indies’, but it still required work, which was done by Campbelle (42 in 38) and Chinelle Henry (20* in 11).
After scoring 147 for 6, which they achieved primarily owing to 20-year-old Miane Smit, who was playing in just her third Twenty20 International, South Africa may have anticipated a different result.
In fact, South Africa got off to a better start than the West Indies would have later in the match. Following a 29-run opening partnership between Luus and Tazmin Brits, the highlight of South Africa’s victory in the first Twenty20 International, their powerplay was 40 for 1. Additionally, South Africa had scored 75 runs by the time Laura Wolvaardt was out as the third batter in the 12th over. Throughout the series, spinners Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack have been the ones causing the most damage.
Not great, and South Africa might not live up to expectations. When Smit came on, she ensured that South Africa didn’t fall apart by controlling partnerships with the other batters, all of whom scored in the single digits. One particularly notable combination was with Chloe Tryon, which saw Smit score 32 in 17 and score 44 in 26 balls.
However, her efforts ultimately proved insufficient, as after losing the previous ODI series 2-1, West Indies exacted some form of retribution.