Matthews happy with work in 2021

West Indies Women’s all-rounder Hayley Matthews is happy with the work she has done and the results she has produced in 2021.

The all-rounder had a stellar year for West Indies Women as she featured in the top 10 among bowlers and batters in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). She took 18 wickets at an average of 22.44 runs per wicket, with best bowling figures of 4-26 in Karachi as international cricket returned to Pakistan in November. She also made 380 runs, which included one century – 100 not out against Pakistan in Antigua in July.

“I definitely set goals at the beginning of the year. I think, ‘bowling-wise’, I probably exceeded the goals. I know I wanted to perform well with the ball, and the wickets I was able to tally up and the economy rate, these are what I feel very pleased about. I did what the team required.”

She added: “I did have goals with the bat, probably to score one or two more hundreds and reach a bit more milestones throughout the year. But nevertheless, I think my biggest goal this year really about was my consistency, and I was happy to get some good scores and help the team win matches.”

To boot, Matthews topped off the excellent campaign as she received the ICC’s Women’s Player of the Month Award for November. In four ODIs in November – three in the bilateral series against Pakistan and one in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Ireland – Matthews scored 141 runs and claimed nine wickets, including an excellent four-wicket haul against Pakistan in Karachi.

She emerged as Player of the Series against Pakistan, hitting 57 and taking three wickets in the first ODI at the National Stadium, before following up with 26 and a four-for in the second game. In the final contest, she made 49 as West Indies Women wrapped up a crucial clean sweep. This is the second time Matthews has been nominated for the award – she was last in contention for the award in July, when West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor won the prize.

“It’s exciting to be nominated twice for the year, and to be able to come this time and win it now. This is my first time winning this award; and what is also rewarding is that I worked so hard throughout the year. As a team, we put in some really good performances and reaped rewards,” said Matthews, a classic off-break bowler and classy right-handed batter.

Matthews is one of the leading all-rounders in West Indies Women’s history. In ODIs, she has played 57 matches, scored 1,426 runs and captured 63 wickets. In T20Is, she has so far made 61 appearances, amassing 1,055 runs and taking 58 wickets. She will now focus her attention on the team’s preparations for the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, which will be played from Match 4 to April 3. West Indies Women begin their World Cup campaign against hosts New Zealand.

windiescricket.com