Hard work pays off for Matthews

July 13, 2021
West Indies Women’s opener Hayley Matthews celebrates her century  against Pakistan in Antigua yesterday.
West Indies Women’s opener Hayley Matthews celebrates her century against Pakistan in Antigua yesterday.

West Indies Women's opener Hayley Matthews could not hold back her joy after scoring her second one-day international hundred which helped the regional side to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The Caribbean has been a happy hunting ground for the Barbadian right-hander, who chalked up her second century in the region, following an unbeaten even 100 which came off 122 balls with 11 fours.

Matthews' knock enabled the West Indies to chase down the 182 made by Pakistan, as the regional side cruised to 183 for two with just under 10 overs remaining.

The stylish right-hander stroked the ball to all parts of the Sir Vivian Richards Ground, as she and Brittany Cooper shared in a century stand to set up the comprehensive victory.

The pair put on 106 runs for the second wicket, with Cooper getting 45 from 69 balls with three fours before she fell to Fatima Sana.

Matthews and Chedean Nation, 13, then saw the hosts home comfortably as the West Indies had earlier lost Kyshona Knight for 18.

When Pakistan batted, Chinelle Henry and stand-in captain Anisa Mohammed bagged three wickets each, as the West Indies stifled the Pakistan innings after they were asked to bat first.

Mohammed, who also picked up the wicket of innings top scorer Omaima Sohail, who made 62, finished with three for 25 from 10 overs. Seamer Henry ended with three for 37 from eight overs, while Matthews capped off her player-of-the-match performance with two for 30.

Matthews who last scored a century against South Africa in Barbados back in 2018, says she is glad that the weeks of hard work is finally paying off.

"I am excited because I have been working very hard over the past couple of months to improve on my batting and my consistency and it is good to see it finally paying off," said Matthews.

It was the West Indies' sixth straight win over the Pakistanis on the tour, with the regional side also sweeping the T20 series.

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