Hayley Matthews eyes repeat of 2016 T20 World Cup glory
Hayley Matthews reflects on past heartbreaks, the memories of West Indies’ 2016 title win and the belief surrounding the squad ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
A decade after the West Indies lifted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy in Kolkata, captain Hayley Matthews believes the side has the potential to script another memorable chapter.
West Indies head into the upcoming T20 World Cup carrying mixed emotions from recent ICC events. They narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the 2024 edition after a close semi-final defeat to New Zealand, while also failing to qualify for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
“Failing to qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup last year hit us hard. Everyone who was there certainly felt it, and we don’t want to go through a feeling like that again,” Matthews wrote in her ICC column.
Reaction to West Indies' win | Digital Daily | WT20WC 2024
Reactions to West Indies win | Digital Daily | WT20WC 2024
Matthews believes those experiences have strengthened the squad mentally heading into another global tournament.
“Now we are back at a competition we reached the semi-finals in two years ago, and we have belief.
"We have matured from the experience of missing out and while we still retain the sting of that recent disappointment, it is matched by the excitement of attending an international showcase and the glow of a decade-old triumph.”
The all-rounder also feels the current group possesses greater depth compared to previous campaigns, pointing towards the emergence of younger match-winners.
“I definitely think that when you look at our team and how players have grown, like Chinelle Henry and some of the other youngsters that we have within the group that are able to make an impact in certain points of the game, I definitely feel that we have a stronger team than we did then.
“It's about us showing up, having our plans in order and being really prepared. Once we do that, we have a good chance of progressing well,” she added.
Hayley Matthews' best of the Group Stage | WT20WC 2024
Hayley Matthews' best of the Group Stage | WT20WC 2024
The West Indies captain also spoke about adapting her batting to the rapidly evolving demands of T20 cricket.
“We are always looking for ways to adapt and keep up with the improving standards around the world.
“Being able to adapt a lot quicker is something that I've been trying to work on recently, as well as adding more shots to my game that hopefully I have enough confidence to bring out when the World Cup comes around.”
Preparation for the tournament will include a tri-series in Ireland featuring Pakistan and Ireland starting May 28. Matthews believes those assignments, combined with the team’s experience of touring England last summer, will be vital in helping the squad settle into conditions ahead of the World Cup.
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During West Indies’ white-ball tour of England in 2025, Matthews finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 177 runs at an average of 88.50 despite the visitors suffering a 3-0 defeat.
“As a squad, we feel we are familiar with English conditions.
"The crowds are always really good in those competitions, which leads to a great atmosphere, and we are looking forward to more of the same this summer.
“In the lead-up to the World Cup, we have a training camp in England, while we are also travelling to Ireland to play in similar conditions in a tri-series, also including Pakistan.”
Matthews, a part of the champion side, was still a teenager when West Indies famously defeated Australia in the 2016 final at Eden Gardens – a triumph made even more iconic after the men’s side also lifted the title merely hours later.
“It is hard to believe it is 10 years since we lifted this trophy on that famous night at Eden Gardens. I was only a teenager, but that night defines what this team can achieve at its very best.
"Winning a World Cup is the pinnacle of a cricketing journey, so we certainly take a lot of pride from that experience.
“Ten years on, it would be great if we could redo a feat like that. It might mean even a bit more in a time like this, where we probably aren't one of the top three or four teams people have pinned to win it. Hopefully, we can prove those people wrong.”
West Indies will kick off their campaign on June 13 against the defending champions New Zealand in Southampton.