Matthews hails odds-defying West Indies
Media release
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews hailed her side for defying the odds and sealing their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a stunning victory over England.
West Indies knew they had to win in order to qualify and did so in impressive fashion in Dubai, with Matthews and fellow opener Qiana Joseph both hitting half-centuries to power their side to a six-wicket win.
England knew any form of victory would be enough to see them progress as group winners but defeat meant they exited the tournament to the benefit of South Africa on net run rate.
Victory returns West Indies to the last four of a Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2018 and Matthews was thrilled with the way her side seized their opportunity.
“I don’t think many people had us reaching that point of the tournament,” she said. “I am just incredibly proud of the group who were up against all odds today.
“The way we came out in the first half with the ball and then to put on a performance like that with the bat; Qiana Joseph scoring her first-ever 50 for West Indies, what a time to do it.
“We bowled really well, we probably could improve a bit in the field still but I think we are peaking at the right time. Hopefully we can do something even better in the semis.
“We will take tomorrow off but then get right back into it. We haven’t won the World Cup yet, we are still some victories away from it so we definitely have to lock back in.
“It is going to be a big game against New Zealand, every game from here on in is going to be a massive game but we are up for the challenge.
“Everyone knows what they want to do and knows their role. When we come on the day we just want to have the plan to execute that as best as possible.”
Matthews starred alongside Joseph with the bat, as the pair’s power hitting provided the perfect platform for victory.
The duo hit eight boundaries each, with Joseph hitting two sixes on the way to her maiden T20I half-century.
And the 23-year-old revealed some sage advice from her captain was key to such a rapid fire start to the innings.
She said: "[Hayley Matthews] told me just back myself, watch the ball all the way through and go through the line of the ball.
"I was real aggressive at the start and took that aggression all the way through my innings.
"It was a big challenge but I back myself to play through the line of the ball.”
Defeat for England means they miss out on a place in the semi-final for the time since 2010.
Nat Sciver-Brunt impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 57 to set Weste Indies 142 to win but they were unable to deal with the power hitting of Joseph and Matthews.
There were also a number of catching chances missed in the field and captain Heather Knight could only praise their opponents.
She said: “We made a few mistakes, it wasn’t the best performance. It is a tough one to take but credit to Hayley and her team.
“Credit to the West Indies, I thought they came at us really hard and played the conditions really well and really put us under the pump.
“They batted brilliantly, we probably bowled a little bit too short, there was more bounce on offer than we were used to.
“They really took the game to us and that partnership between Hayley and Joseph was a top quality partnership and really put us under the pump.
“I think we have played some really good cricket but at a tournament like this, you slip up once and it can be costly. I am very frustrated but still really proud of the girls and the fight they have got.”
ENDS