The last time the West Indies visited England, it was way back in September 2020. The English side inflicted a whitewash in the T20I series on their previous occasion. The Windies are back in England for a bilateral white-ball series which includes a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series.
Both sides handed T20I debut caps, Emily Arlott from England, and Realeanna Grimmond from the West Indies had their much-awaited moments in the sun.
Skipper Hayley Matthews Ton revives the West Indies
Young speedster Lauren Bell got the home side off to a brilliant start, sending Qiana Joseph and Zaida James back to the pavilion in the 4th over of the innings, after skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and opted to bowl first, at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury. A crucial 30-run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Realeanna Grimmond and skipper Hayley Matthews led a much-needed recovery for the visitors. An unfortunate run-out ended Realeanna Grimmond’s stay at the crease to provide the 3rd breakthrough for England in the 8th over of the innings.
Skipper Hayley Matthews held fort from one end, keeping the scoreboard ticking, as she kept losing her partners from the other. West Indies eventually posted a respectable total of 146/7 in their quota of 20 overs, on the back of a sensational unbeaten century from the visiting skipper Hayley Matthews (100* off 67 balls).
A vital 47-run partnership for the 7th wicket between Mandy Mangru (17 off 16 balls) and skipper Hayley Matthews played an important part in taking them closer to the 150-run mark. Shabika Gajnabi (11 off 17 balls) was the only other batter to enter into the double digits with the bat for the West Indies.
Linsey Smith (4-1-18-1), and Lauren Bell (4-1-29-2) were the standout performers with the ball for England.
Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight make light work of the run chase
Chasing a target of 147, the England openers, Sophia Dunkley and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge got their side off to a solid start with a 51-run opening stand. Zaida James cleaned up Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (17 off 15 balls) to provide the first breakthrough for the West Indies on the penultimate ball of the powerplay.
Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt made her way back to the pavilion for a two-ball duck in the 7th over of the run chase to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the visitors. Heather Knight (43* off 27 balls) joined opening batter Sophia Dunkley (81* off 56 balls) at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with 8 wickets in hand and 22 balls to spare, courtesy of a massive unbeaten 94-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Zaida James (4-0-32-1), and Afy Fletcher (3-0-27-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for the West Indies, while skipper Hayley Matthews (3-0-20-0) was impressive with the ball for her side.
Despite ending on the losing side, the West Indian skipper Hayley Matthews was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational century, her 3rd in the T20I format as England went 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.
