West Indies captain Hayley Matthews acknowledged her team’s subpar performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, following an eight-wicket loss to Australia in the semi-final at The Oval. Australia comfortably chased down 126 runs, led by Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 61 and Ashleigh Gardner’s 35 not out, securing a spot in the final.
Matthews noted that West Indies failed to showcase their best cricket throughout the tournament, attributing the loss to a combination of an off day and inconsistent performances. The defending champions restricted West Indies to 125/7, with skipper Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham taking two wickets each.
Reflecting on the defeat, Matthews highlighted the emotional impact of star all-rounder Deandra Dottin’s early exit due to a medical emergency, stating that it affected the team significantly. Despite a strong start with a 47-run opening partnership, West Indies faltered from 47/0 to 83/6 before posting a competitive total, with Dottin contributing an unbeaten 26 off 16 balls.
Matthews acknowledged Australia’s early pressure and the uncertainty surrounding Dottin’s availability, which influenced their batting strategy. While the heavy defeat dashed West Indies’ title hopes, Matthews expressed optimism about the squad’s growth and resilience, emphasizing the team’s collective effort and the potential for further improvement.
