West Indies Women’s skipper Hayley Matthews once again came to her side’s rescue to register a thrilling six-run victory over Ireland Women in their Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Ireland required eight runs from the final over with the last wicket pair of Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray at the crease. However, Matthews had Kelly caught off the second ball to spark wild celebrations among her teammates and keep West Indies Women’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
The match was reduced to 33 overs after heavy showers delayed the start of play; the West Indies posted 181 for 6 after being sent into bat.
The Windies Women were in trouble when they lost Matthews for 23 and opener Qiana Joseph for 4, leaving them 29 for 2 in the sixth over.
However, Zaida James and Stafanie Taylor came to the crease and added 81 runs for the third wicket to repair the innings, carrying their team to 116 for 3.
Ireland’s pacer, Jane Maguire, struck twice in the 24th over, turning the game back in their favor. She first had Taylor caught for 46 from 56 balls, and one run later, she bowled James for 36, as Windies women slipped to 117 for 4.
Chinelle Henry scored an unbeaten 46 from 36 balls with two fours and one six to propel the Windies to their eventual total.
Maguire was Ireland’s best bowler with 3-35 from her seven overs.
In reply, Ireland got off to a fiery start, with openers Amy Hunter and captain Gaby Lewis sharing an opening partnership of 57 runs in ten overs.
Matthews broke the partnership when she bowled Lewis for 17 and then held on to a return catch to dismiss Orla Prendergast for just 1 as Ireland stumbled to 65 for 2.
Afy Fletcher joined in to bowl Hunter for 48, and then spinner Karishma Ramharack sent Leah Paul back to the pavilion for only one. At this time, Ireland was in serious trouble at 80 for 4 in the 17th over.
Laura Delany and Christina Coulter-Reilly kept them in the contest with a 42-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Aaliyah Alleyne then dismissed Delany for 1, before Ramharack accounted for Louise Little, leaving the score at 133 for 6.
Coulter-Reilly, Ava Canning, and Jane Maguire were quickly dismissed as Ireland slumped to 156 for nine, with 26 runs still required from 24 balls.
Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray carried Ireland close to a historic victory before Matthews’ heroics proved otherwise.
Matthews finished with 4-24, while Ramharack ended with 2-27 and Alleyne with 2-33
