Mount Maunganui: Hayley Matthews hammered a superb century in the season opener of the 12th Women’s World Cup at Mount Maunganui on Friday, helping the West Indies to a thrilling three-run victory over tournament hosts New Zealand.
The all-rounder was batting in place of Rashada Williams, smashed 16 fours and a booming six in her 128-ball 119. The 23-year-old Barbadian returned to take 2/41 with her offspin and set back the New Zealanders in their bid to chase down 260 runs for victory.
Sloppy West Indies fielding, on the other hand, earned Sophie Devine at least two lives, and the New Zealand captain took full advantage with a fighting 108 that kept the hosts in contention.
With a superb juggled catch off her own bowling, seamer Chinelle Henry finally got rid of the home captain, setting up a tense last five over under the Bay Oval lights. Katey Martin (44) and Jess Kerr (25) needed six runs from the final six deliveries, but Deandra Dottin dismissed both of them and ran out Hannah Rowe on the penultimate delivery, leaving New Zealand 256 all out.
What drama at the Bay Oval!#TeamWestIndies keep their cool to win the #CWC22 opener by 3 runs against #TeamNewZealand 🎉 pic.twitter.com/OXrXSGSir4
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 4, 2022
“I thought we were right in it until the last over,” said Devine. “You don’t get much more clutch than a bowler coming in in the 50th over and doing what Dottin did. So full credit to them but we`ve got to move on quickly.”
Brief scores: West Indies 259/9 (Hayley Matthews 119, Chedean Nation 36; Lea Tahuhu 3/57, Jess Kerr 2/43). New Zealand 256 in 49.5 overs (Sophie Devine 108, Katey Martin 44, Amy Satterthwaite 31; Deandra Dottin 2/2, Hayley Matthews 2/41)
