West Indies Women's Hayley Matthews Clinches Thrilling Victory Against Ireland Women in World Cup Qualifier

LAHORE – West Indies Women’s skipper Hayley Matthews came to her side’s rescue yet again as they survived a scare to register a thrilling six-run victory over Ireland Women in their Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium here Friday.

With Ireland requiring eight runs from the final over and the last wicket pair of Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray at the crease, Matthews had the former 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.

In a match that was reduced to 33 overs after heavy showers delayed the start of play, the West Indies posted a total of 181 for six after being sent in to bat by their opponents.

The Windies Women found themselves in a spot of bother when they lost Matthews for 23 and opener Qiana Joseph for four to leave them 29 for two in the sixth over.

However, Zaida James and Stafanie Taylor put on 81 runs for the third wicket to repair the innings and guide their team to 116 for three.

Ireland’s pacer Jane Maguire then struck twice in the 24th over to swing the momentum back in their favour.

She first had Taylor caught for a well-played 46 from 56 balls, and one run later she bowled James for 36, as West Indies slipped to 117 for four.

Chinelle Henry ensured there would be no middle order collapse though, scoring 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.

Ireland then got off to a blazing start in their run chase, with openers Amy Hunter and captain Gaby Lewis sharing an opening stand of 57 runs in ten overs.

Matthews broke the partnership with her off spin by bowling Lewis for 17 and then held on to a return catch to dismiss Orla Prendergast for just one, as Ireland stumbled to 65 for two.

Afy Fletcher joined in the action by bowling Hunter for the topscore of 48 and when fellow spinner Karishma Ramharack sent Leah Paul back to the pavilion for one, Ireland was in dire trouble at 80 for four in the 17th over.

Laura Delany and Christina Coulter-Reilly kept them in the hunt with a 42-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Aaliyah Alleyne broke the stand by dismissing Delany for one, before Ramharack accounted for Louise Little to leave the score 133 for six.

The match seemed all but over when Coulter-Reilly, Ava Canning and Jane Maguire were dismissed in quick succession as Ireland slumped to 156 for nine, with still 26 runs required from 24 balls.

But Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray carried Ireland within a whisker of a historic victory, before Matthews’ heroics proved to be the decider.

Matthews finished with 4-24, while Ramharack (2-27) and Alleyne (2-33) grabbed two wickets. (CMC)