All-round Matthews helps West Indies crush Ireland in ODI series opener

BREADY: Skipper Hayley Matthews backed her brilliant bowling figures of 3/52 with a monumental century and powered West Indies to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland in the first Women's ODI of the three-match away series here at the Bready Cricket Club on Friday.

Put into bat first, the home side amassed a formidable total of 269 all out in 49 overs on the back of a blistering half-century by Amy Hunter.

The wicketkeeper batter top-scored for Ireland with a 90-ball 96 with the help of 10 fours and a six, while captain Gaby Lewis (39) and middle-order Orla Prendergast (30) were the other notable run-getters.

Afy Fletcher was the standout bowler for West Indies as she picked up four wickets for just 49 runs in her 10 overs, followed by captain Matthews with three, while Karishma Ramharack and Jannillea Glasgow chipped in with one scalp apiece.

In response, West Indies made a light work of the 270-run target, courtesy of their openers Realeanna Grimmond and Matthews.

The duo outclassed Ireland bowlers and raised a monumental 258-run partnership, which put the visitors within touching distance of a comfortable victory.

Louise Little, however, denied West Indies a perfect 10-wicket triumph by dismissing Grimmond in the 38th over, with the touring side needing just 12 runs off 76 balls.

Grimmond walked back after scoring an anchoring 91 off 107 deliveries with the help of 11 fours.

Matthews, however, carried her bat all the way through and steered West Indies to a resounding victory in the next over as she top-scored with an unbeaten 159 off 123 deliveries, studded with 24 fours and two sixes. She was adjudged the Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance.