IRE-W vs WI-W: Matthews' all round show guides West Indies to series clinching win in 2nd ODI

West Indies women took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Ireland women with a six-wicket win in the second ODI on Sunday, July 12, at Bready Cricket Club, Bready, Northern Ireland. After being put in to bat first, Ireland managed to score 241/7 in their allotted 50 overs, with half-centuries from Amy Hunter (67 off 87) and Rebecca Stokell (57 off 76).

For West Indies, Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews (2/34) picked up two wickets each. In reply, West Indies comfortably chased down the target in 38.5 overs with captain Hayley Matthews scoring her second successive century, while Stafanie Taylor (100* off 105) also notched up a hundred.

As a result, West Indies sealed the series comfortably, with the third ODI scheduled to be played on Wednesday, July 15 at the same venue.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Hayley Matthews was once again adjudged Player of the Match for her terrific all-round show. She first scalped 2/34 in her ten overs, dismissing Orla Prendergast and a well-set Amy Hunter (67 off 87). Later, she brought up her 12^th ODI century, scoring 100 off 94 balls, smashing 14 fours and two sixes in her innings.

Turning Point

Ireland again faced a batting collapse as they were reduced to 74/3 before Amy Hunter (67 off 87) and Rebecca Stokell (57 off 76) rescued the innings with a 106-run fourth wicket partnership. The duo was taking their team to a good score before Afy Fletcher broke their partnership, dismissing Stokell and Ireland had to settle for a below-par score.

Later in the second innings, after Ireland got an early breakthrough in the form of Realeanna Grimmond. Hayley Matthews (100 off 94) and Stafanie Taylor (100 off 105) closed the door on an Irish comeback with a 158-run stand for the second wicket off 150 deliveries. 

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Hayley Matthews (West Indies): 

(On her batting) I think it's just about trying to play really mature innings. I've set myself some simple goals early in the innings and tried to stick to them as the innings progresses. I keep things pretty low-risk and wait for the ball to come into my strength areas before looking to attack.

(Did Ireland bowl better or was the pitch different) I think they bowled a lot better today. They were much straighter with their lines and made it harder to score. I had to adjust my game plan a little and look to score more down the ground. I was also able to score a bit off the back foot today, which helped.

(On building batting partnerships) Absolutely. Once you have wickets in hand, it allows the batters to settle into the innings without feeling like they have to force the scoring. It gives us the confidence to play the balls on their merit, knowing we have the batting depth to accelerate later if needed.

Losing Captain, Gaby Lewis (Ireland): 

(On the batting conditions) "It was tough out there. The West Indies bowled really well, especially with the new ball, and they were much more consistent than in the previous game. Credit to the girls for getting us to 240 because it wasn't easy, but I think we did a great job.

(On the team's approach to accelerating the innings) It's a bit of a catch-22. You want to build a competitive total, and there were times when we hit the ball straight to fielders. On another day, those shots would have gone for boundaries. I think the intent was there, and on another day it will come off.

(On the bowling and fielding performance) I think we were definitely better than in the last game. We still have areas to improve, and our fielding wasn't at the standard we expect. But overall, it was an improvement, even though we still need to raise our standards.