CANTERBURY, England — A stunning, unbeaten century from captain Hayley Matthews was the lone vivid spark for West Indies Girls as they suffered a crushing eight-wicket defeat by the hands of a scientific England aspect within the opening T20 Worldwide on Wednesday.
Matthews stood tall in a faltering West Indies innings, scoring a superb 100 not out—her third T20I century—to carry her aspect to 146 for seven. However England made gentle work of the goal, with Sophia Dunkley smashing an unbeaten 81 and Heather Knight contributing 43 not out in a dominant chase that concluded with 21 balls to spare.
Matthews alone within the trenches
Opting to bat first, the West Indies innings shortly grew to become a one-woman present. With energy hitters Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry lacking from the line-up, the burden of management and run-scoring fell squarely on Matthews’ shoulders.
Opening alongside Qiana Joseph, Matthews gave the innings a gradual begin, reaching 17 with out loss within the first three overs. However Lauren Bell shortly disrupted the early rhythm, eradicating Joseph for two after which dismissing Zaida James two balls later, caught behind to go away the guests teetering at 17 for 2.
Unfazed, Matthews unleashed a flurry of boundaries off spinner Charlie Dean within the sixth over, racing to 33 off 24 balls with three consecutive fours. Her dedication to anchor the innings grew to become evident as wickets tumbled round her.
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Debutant Realeanna Grimmond was run out for 4 after a mix-up, whereas Shabika Gajnabi, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Jannillea Glasgow all fell cheaply in a devastating mid-innings collapse that left West Indies reeling at 87 for six within the 14th over.
Milestone century amid the collapse
With the innings on the brink, Matthews discovered an ally in Mandy Mangru, and the pair stitched collectively a vital 47-run stand for the seventh wicket. Matthews introduced up her half-century off 38 balls with a single off debutante Emily Arlott.
Because the innings neared its finish, Matthews accelerated. She cracked Issy Wong for 2 boundaries within the 18th over and entered the ultimate over needing 11 runs for her century. In a show of grit and consciousness, she reached the milestone with a scampered single off the final ball.
Matthews completed unbeaten on 100 off 67 balls, laced with 16 fours and a six, incomes common admiration—even from her opponents.
Lauren Bell led the English assault with 2 for 29 in her 4 overs, however Matthews’ brilliance ensured West Indies posted a aggressive whole.
Dunkley and Knight seal the deal
England, nevertheless, responded with commanding authority. Openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley tore into the West Indies bowling, racing to 51 inside six overs.
West Indies briefly sparked hope when Zaida James bowled Wyatt-Hodge for 17, and Afy Fletcher struck quickly after to take away captain Nat Sciver-Brunt for a duck, lowering England to 56 for 2.
However any ideas of a fightback have been shortly extinguished by the poised pairing of Dunkley and Knight. Collectively, they pieced collectively an unbeaten 94-run partnership that methodically dismantled West Indies’ protection.
Dunkley was imperious, dealing with 56 balls and cracking 12 boundaries, whereas Knight was equally composed, accumulating 43 off 27 balls, together with six fours.
The emphatic win gave England a 1-0 lead within the best-of-three sequence and underscored their dominance in residence situations.
