The West Indies Women achieved a remarkable feat by completing the highest successful run chase ever recorded in women’s T20I history on Monday evening at North Sydney Oval. Captain Hayley Matthews delivered an outstanding performance with the bat, leaving Australia’s bowling attack in disappointment.
In a spellbinding display, Matthews played a vital part in squaring the three-match series at 1-1 on Monday night. She hit an incredible 132 runs from just 64 balls as the West Indies completed a remarkable seven-wicket victory, with only one ball remaining and seven wickets in hand.
Stafanie Taylor contributed 59 runs off 41 balls before Megan Schutt dismissed her with 28 runs needed from three overs, temporarily giving Australia a glimmer of hope. Matthews then seized over, scoring 16 important runs in the 19th over against Jess Jonassen before getting out while attempting a sweep shot. This set the situation for Chinelle Henry and Shemaine Campbelle, who needed eight runs from Ashleigh Gardner’s last over to seal the victory, which they completed with a fast two too long on.
Matthews not only succeeded with the bat but also made her mark with the ball, taking 3-36. This performance earned her a stunning eighth consecutive player-of-the-match title in T20s, following her brilliant 99-run innings in Sunday’s loss to Australia.
Matthews reached her century in style, taking just 53 balls to do so, and she did it by driving Schutt past backward point, followed by delivering the next two balls to the boundary. This astounding feat happened after the 25-year-old had previously displayed her all-round ability by contributing considerably to the team’s bowling performance.
Matthews’ extraordinary innings of 132 runs off 64 balls, comprising an astonishing 20 boundaries and five sixes, played a crucial role in the West Indies winning their first victory against the world’s No. 1 rated side, Australia, in over seven years.
The day began with West Indies having a great start, as Campbelle made a fantastic catch to dismiss Healy on the very first ball at backward point. Matthews then bowled out McGrath in the following over, bringing Australia to 2-7. However, Ellyse Perry’s resilient 70 runs off 46 balls anchored the Australian innings. The scenario appeared positive for Australia when the 20-year-old Litchfield produced some spectacular strokes and smashed three sixes, concluding with an unbeaten 52 from just 19 balls. At that time, Australia seemed well on its way to victory with a total of 6-212, but Matthews’ exploits changed the tide in favor of the West Indies.
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