In a landmark second for West Indies ladies’s cricket, 27-year-old all-rounder and skipper Hayley Matthews etched her title into historical past because the seventh West Indies girl participant to succeed in 100 ODI appearances.
The milestone arrived within the series opener against Sri Lanka on the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada, on February 20, 2026, the place Matthews led her aspect in a tense 10-run defeat whereas chasing 241. Opening alongside Qiana Joseph, she scored a gritty 13 off 26 balls, together with a few boundaries.
She had a powerful day with the ball, claiming 2-46 from her 10 overs to dismiss rival skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshika Silva. Despite the 1-0 sequence deficit on this three-match ODI showdown (adopted by three T20Is by way of March 3), Matthews’ twin impression underscored her evolution from prodigy to powerhouse.
Hayley Matthews’ worldwide journey started with a T20I debut in opposition to New Zealand on September 27, 2014, in Kingstown, adopted swiftly by her ODI bow in opposition to Australia on November 11, 2014, in Sydney. Over 100 ODIs, she has amassed 3,087 runs in 97 innings at a mean of 33.55 and a strike price of 76.24, that includes 9 centuries and eight half-centuries.
Her pinnacle batting knock? A masterful 141 off 149 balls (19 boundaries) opening with Rashada Williams in opposition to Pakistan on April 23, 2024, in Karachi. That effort propelled West Indies to 278/6, securing an 88-run win and Player of the Match honours for her all-round dominance.
With the ball, Matthews is equally formidable, snaring 127 wickets throughout 94 innings at a mean of 24.07 and economic system of 4.12, together with 5 four-wicket hauls. Her standout spell got here on March 18, 2022, at Mount Maunganui in the course of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, the place she claimed 4-15 from 10 overs (1 maiden) in opposition to Bangladesh within the second innings. West Indies clung on for an exhilarating 4-run victory, incomes her one other Player of the Match award and cementing her status as a clutch performer.
As the West Indies eye a comeback, all eyes flip to the second ODI on February 22, 2026, on the similar Grenada venue from 7 PM IST. With Sri Lanka main underneath Athapaththu, Matthews’ management and flexibility might be key to levelling the sequence. At 27, she’s not simply hitting milestones, she’s redefining them for a brand new era of Caribbean expertise.
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