Matthews hits ton as Windies dominate

Having won the toss and electing to insert the West Indies to bat first, Ireland were hoping for a strong start to boost their chances of drawing level in the series.

There was turn from the word go, as stand-in Ireland captain Kim Garth decided to open the bowling with the leg-spin of Celeste Raack. The Windies got off to a steady start, and when Britney Cooper was caught behind, she managed only a fine nick as she attempted to cut Sophie MacMahon, Ireland would have felt on top with the score 26/1 after five overs.

Hayley Matthews was not about to concede control of the game so easily though and, together with Chedean Nation, she plundered 55 runs in just six and a half overs as the Irish bowlers struggled with a greasy ball caused by persistent drizzle, especially evident with both Louise Little and Lara Maritz bowling waist-height no-balls which were duly dispatched over the rope. The rain was also perhaps partly to blame for Maritz’s drop at mid-wicket, as Matthews hit a rare false shot off Anna Kerrison, though it made it no less expensive a mistake.

The players were forced from the field as the rain got a little harder, but Matthews picked up where she left off when play resumed with the West Indian opener hitting three consecutive deliveries in a row from Raack for six, the first of which brought up her half century from 41 balls. She continued the bombardment, and with five balls left in the innings she registered her maiden T20I century from just 59 balls, brought up with pulled four to wide long-on.

All the while, Nation ably played second fiddle, finishing with 63 from 46 balls. Matthews though was the star, as she scored 107, including seven fours and nine sixes. Together they took the Windies to 188/1, a target which was always out of reach for Ireland.

None of the Irish batters were able to score faster than a run a ball, and the required rate quickly climbed past 10 and then beyond. Captain Garth and opener Mary Waldron, who scored a career-best 55*, shared a partnership worth 94, but it was nowhere near enough for the hosts.