So, that's it from the contest. After a drubbing win over Ireland Women today, West Indies Women will be gearing up to wrestle against Pakistan Women tomorrow. Stay tuned as an action-packed Friday awaits us with IPL Qualifier 2, T20 Blast bonanzas, the ensuing Women's Tri-Nation Series, and much more.
This is Arijit Kundu taking your leave on behalf of coverage crew of commentator Anirudh Modi and scorer Raju Khariya aka. 'Sarpanch.'
Hayley Matthews (West Indies Women's Captain): "(On fielding and taking chances) Important chances taken, even with the fielding we were able to stop a few twos, so that is good.
(No bowling for Dottin) First game, it's a series where we want to give a lot of opportunities, she stays a big part of our bowling, but we need to see a lot of people before the World Cup.
(On facing Pakistan next) They are a good side and a good challenge to beat, but hoping to continue to perform how we did today."
Orla Prendergast (Ireland Women's Captain): "(On the match) We didn't have enough runs on the board with the bat. We lacked partnerships. I think that's where we lost the game.
(Preferring aerial over grounded shot, was it over-attacking?) Interesting stat, definitely something to look at and be a bit more mindful of, it's a fast outfield and there
(On the batting unit) It was pretty good at 36/2, but they are a good batting lineup. We lost wickets in clusters, put a low total on the board, and it didn't help us."
Hayley Matthews (Player of the Match): "(On her performance today) It's good to get off to a good start as a team, and personally as well. It will definitely give me confidence for the next few games.
(On her batting approach) Watch how the ball moved; it got windy, and I was able to get myself set a bit more to score big.
(On her bowling) It went well as I wanted it to go, probably went a bit awry in the first over, but we got a few wickets because of it."
Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony..
6:19 PM Local Time and 10:49 PM IST: Hurricane Hayley gusts over Dublin as the Irish fans taste a bitter defeat in the first game of the Tri-Nation series. A paltry chase for the tourists and with Matthews at the crease, things are expected to only get better for the Women in Maroon.
Unlike their opposition, the West Indies got off to a better start, scoring 23 runs quickly. However, Deandra Dottin was outsmarted in this phase by Ava Canning followed by Qiana Joseph falling to the same bowler in the sixth over.
Following a below-par than expected powerplay, Matthews stabilised the stage under the assistance of experienced Stafanie Taylor. The pair kept the scoreboard ticking post powerplay amidst occasional boundaries and excellent strike rotation. Subsequently, Matthews accelerated following the fifty milestone, racking up 20 and 18 runs on either side of the hydration break. Having narrowed down the total, the pair sealed the deal in the twelfth over without further hiccups, earning a 'W' under their name.
Putting in to bat first, the hosts lost three quick wickets inside the powerplay. Zaida James and Jahzara Claxton were the wreakers in chief with the new ball, getting the better of the top three. Under adverse situation, Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul added 44 runs together for the fourth wicket. However, the duo faltered against spin with Hayley Matthew taking out her opposite number in the twelfth over. Wickets fell in cluster right after, as the Irish tail had no resistance to show at their home. Eventually, Qiana ran riot in the 17th over, cleaning the tail with three wickets in an over. In Ireland's 103-run total, only three batters -- Orla (25), Leah (21), and Alice Tector (10) -- could reach the double digit mark.
OVER 12
West Indies Women
104/2
Hayley Kristen Matthews
82(44)
Stafanie Taylor
10(9)
Cara Murray
0-22(1.3)
11.3 Cara Murray to Hayley Kristen Matthews
1 Here comes the winning runs. Hayley Matthews stays unbriddled at 82, scoring nearly 80% of the runs in this chase, and steering Windies home. Full and quick at the off, drilled to long on for a single.