West Indies captain Hayley Matthews praised her team’s aggressive bowling start, securing a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Matthews, named Player of the Match, took three wickets in her first two overs, executing the team’s plan to target Sri Lanka’s left-handed batters, setting the stage for their third consecutive tournament victory.
Matthews’ early dismissals of three top-order Sri Lankan batters within three overs destabilized the opposition, leading to their total of 98 runs. Emphasizing the importance of taking wickets in the powerplay, Matthews highlighted the critical role of early breakthroughs in their strategy.
The West Indies team’s selection was influenced by the conditions, opting for four spinners, including off-spinner Ashmini Munisar for her tournament debut. Matthews explained that the decision was tailored to counter Sri Lanka’s left-handed heavy lineup, commending Munisar for her impactful performance in her first World Cup match.
Despite a minor scare while chasing 99 runs, Matthews remained confident throughout, with West Indies reaching the target with almost four overs to spare. Stafanie Taylor guided the team to victory after a slight middle-order stumble, ensuring a comfortable win despite losing five wickets during the chase.
Matthews, receiving the Player of the Match award, expressed the added significance of performing in front of her supportive father, a constant presence in the stands during her matches.
