A record-breaking day for West Indies women’s cricket, as Hayley Matthews and Realeanna Grimmond smashed a 258-run opening stand, as the West Indies pulled off their highest-ever ODI run chase, steamrolling Ireland by 9 wickets.
West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews set the tone with the ball in the first Evara Women’s One Day international versus Ireland at Bready Cricket Ground.
Matthews took three for 52 to help bowl Ireland out for 269, after Amy Hunter’s 96 had the hosts in a strong position. Afy Fletcher’s four for 49 proved crucial in pulling things back.
Then Matthews turned it on with the bat. She and Realanna Grimmond who replaced Chinelle Henry for this series, raced to 72 in the powerplay alone, hitting 13 fours between them. Matthews survived a dropped catch on 52 and made Ireland pay for it.
She brought up a 90-ball hundred, then shifted into six-hitting mode as West Indies reached 200 in the 30th over. Grimmond brought up her second ODI half-century before she fell for 91 with the finish line in sight, the only hiccup in an otherwise flawless chase.
Matthews finished unbeaten on 159, sealing West Indies’ highest-ever successful run chase and the team’s highest partnership for any wicket in their ODI history.
The second match is on Sunday July 12.