Matthews, Campbelle steer WI Women to series win

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:

Captain Hayley Matthews and her deputy Shemaine Campbelle played crucial knocks to lead West Indies Women to their first T20I series win over South Africa Women in 12 years, in thrilling fashion at the 3W's Oval yesterday.

Hours after being named Women's T20I Player of the Year by Cricket West Indies (CWI), Matthews scored her second consecutive half century of the series, with Campbelle proving to be the perfect partner, as the home side registered a six-wicket win to clinch the three-match series 2-1.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa Women were led by a maiden T20I half century by Miane Smith (59 off 38 balls), which helped them to post a respectable 147 for six in their 20 overs.

But Matthews scored 65 off 50 balls in scoring her 19th T20 International half-century, and Campbelle chipped in with 42 to lead the home side to 148 for four with nine balls remaining in the contest.

It marked the first time West Indies Women emerged victorious over the Proteas Women in a T20I series since back in 2013 when they won 2-0 in the Caribbean.

Once again it was Matthews, who was voted Player-of-the-Match and Player-of-the-Series, that spearheaded the run chase.

The skipper lost her opening partner Qiana Joseph with just 17 runs on the board, while Realeanna Grimmond scored just five before being bowled by medium pacer Ayabonga Khaka to see West Indies slip to 32 for two in the sixth over.

Campbelle then joined Matthews at the crease and the pair set about repairing the damage during an 82-run partnership that spanned 10 overs.

But with 38 runs needed from 30 balls, Matthews was bowled off her pads by spinner Sune Luus after hitting nine fours and one six to give South Africa an unlikely chance of victory. And when Campbelle gifted Marizanne Kapp a simple caught and bowled opportunity, it set up a tense finish with West Indies requiring 12 from 13 balls.

However, Chinelle Henry belted pacer Tumi Sekhukhune for a six and four off consecutive deliveries, before sealing the match with a drive through cover that allowed her to gather two runs. Henry finished unbeaten on 20 off 11 balls with two fours and a six.

- CMC