The 1st ODI between West Indies Women and Bangladesh Women at Warner Park, St. Kitts, kicked off the series with an electrifying display of skill and determination. Opting to field first after winning the toss, West Indies Women restricted Bangladesh Women to 198/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Bangladesh’s innings was a mixture of promising starts and unfortunate collapses, while the West Indies bowlers kept the opposition in check. In reply, Hayley Matthews delivered a masterclass, crafting an unbeaten 104 to secure a commanding nine-wicket victory for her team. With this win, West Indies Women now lead the three-match series 1-0, setting the tone for an exciting series ahead.
Bangladesh Women’s Innings: Promising Starts, Missed Opportunities
Bangladesh Women started cautiously, with Murshida Khatun (40 off 53) and Sharmin Akhter (42 off 70) providing some stability at the top of the order. However, they struggled to convert promising starts into impactful contributions. The middle order, led by Sobhana Mostary’s spirited 35 off 50, offered resistance, but regular breakthroughs by the West Indies bowlers kept the scoring rate in check.
Deandra Dottin (3/40) and Hayley Matthews (2/41) were the pick of the bowlers, maintaining discipline and ensuring the Bangladesh batters couldn’t accelerate during the death overs. Afy Fletcher (1/32) and Aaliyah Alleyne (2/22) also chipped in with valuable wickets, as the visitors were restricted to a modest total of 198/9.
Hayley Matthews Steals the Show
Chasing 199, the West Indies openers made their intentions clear from the start. Captain Hayley Matthews led from the front, smashing an unbeaten 104 off 93 balls, laced with 16 boundaries. Her authoritative stroke play and calculated aggression left the Bangladeshi bowlers scrambling for answers.
She found an able partner in Qiana Joseph, who contributed a stylish 70 off 79 balls. Together, they stitched a 163-run opening stand that effectively ended the contest. Though Joseph fell to Rabeya Khan, Matthews ensured there were no further hiccups, with Shemaine Campbelle (14* off 18) joining her to see the team home in just 31.4 overs.
Key Takeaways
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Hayley Matthews, who not only anchored the chase but did so with flair and authority. Her all-round contribution (2 wickets and a century) earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award. For Bangladesh, Murshida Khatun and Sharmin Akhter’s efforts with the bat showed promise, but the team will need a more cohesive performance in the second ODI to level the series.
Conclusion
The West Indies Women’s clinical performance in the 1st ODI has set the stage for what promises to be a competitive series. Bangladesh Women will look to regroup and address their shortcomings as they head into the second match. For now, Hayley Matthews’ brilliance remains the defining highlight of this encounter, showcasing why she is one of the most influential players in women’s cricket today.