Women’s T20 World Cup: Skipper Hayley Matthews steers West Indies to victory over Ireland

Hayley Matthews performed a captain’s knock and guided the West Indies to a nerve-jangling six-wicket win over Ireland within the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup right here.

The Windies skipper struck a decisive 66 not out and was assisted by Chinelle Henry’s important contribution for a victory with only a single ball remaining on Friday evening.

Orla Prendergast’s spectacular 61 had fired Ireland to a aggressive whole of 137 for 9 as Shamilia Connell starred with the ball for the Windies.

But Matthews and Henry (34) delivered a second innings masterclass to patiently chase down the goal and assist the West Indies, with out Stafanie Taylor owing to a again harm, bounce again from defeats in opposition to India and England in Group B.

Laura Delany gained the toss and elected to bat – however her aspect suffered an virtually rapid blow when Amy Hunter was dismissed within the second over.

Trishan Holder held a easy catch after the Irish opener had miscued and top-edged a Connell supply.

But Prendergast and Gaby Lewis set about constructing the foundations for a restoration, placing on 90 for the second wicket earlier than Prendergast went for a swashbuckling 61 – off simply 47 balls – within the thirteenth over.

And the West Indies then struck twice in fast succession as Lewis (38) and Louise Little, who was unable to bother the scorers, have been eliminated within the house of three Karishma Ramharack deliveries.

Delany and Arlene Kelly then went in equally speedy vogue as Afy Fletcher’s leg breaks helped derail the top of the Irish innings.

Eimear Richardson was caught and bowled by Matthews earlier than Leah Paul and wicketkeeper Mary Waldron have been faraway from the ultimate two balls of the innings.

That left the Windies with a complete of 138 to win as openers Matthews and Rashada Williams responded with a gradual begin all through the opening overs.

But Ireland grabbed the breakthrough from the penultimate ball of the powerplay when wicketkeeper Williams was run out after a sudden mix-up together with her captain.

Incoming batter Campbelle survived a overview shortly after however was quickly dismissed by Delany when the Irish skipper’s artful medium pacers trapped her in entrance for simply eight.

Matthews and Henry continued to chip away on the whole, nevertheless, teeing up a tantalising remaining 5 overs with a composed third wicket partnership.

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Kelly dropped Henry at mid-off throughout an economical-looking sixteenth over earlier than the Windies No.4 made her pay with a much-needed boundary off the ultimate supply.

Henry appeared within the temper to complete the job as rapidly as attainable however she was quickly dismissed by Paul as Ireland, who spilt a number of probabilities all through a frenetic second innings, lastly held on to a catch.

That propelled Shabika Gajnabi into the warmth of the Cape Town cauldron, who performed an necessary temporary cameo earlier than being run out after one other piece of confusion with Matthews.

But the Windies skipper held her nerve to clatter Delany over the covers for 4 and fireplace her aspect to victory.