[UPDATED] Matthews' ton in vain as England drub WI in first T20I

NOT even Hayley Matthews’ stellar third T20I century (100 not out) could stop hosts England from securing a convincing eight-wicket victory over West Indies women in the opening fixture of the three-match Vitality T20I series, which bowled off at Canterbury on May 21.

Matthews smashed 16 fours and one six in her classy knock, which guided the visitors to 146/7 from their 20 overs, batting first. However, England showed mettle in their chase and cruised to a victorious 150/2 from 16.3 overs, to seal a winning start to the series.

Put in to bat, Windies skipper Matthews had a fiery start as she slashed fast bowler Lauren Bell for two fours in the first over. Matthews then lofted left-arm orthodox spinner for six in the third over, her only maximum of a boundary-littered innings.

Despite the positive start, Joseph (two) and Zaida James (duck) were dismissed by Bell in the fourth over, as the former was caught by a backpedaling Linsey Smith, and the latter bowled after facing two balls.

An undeterred Matthews, however, hit Smith through mid-on for a boundary and then spanked Charlie Dean for three consecutive fours, to lift the visitors to 37/2 after the power play.

T20I debutant Raeleanna Grimmond (four) did not last alongside her captain as she was run out by newly-appointed England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and wicketkeeper Jones.

Shabika Gajnabi hit two fours in her short knock of 11 as West Indies women strolled to 64/3 after ten overs. After Gajnabi hit Issy Wong for four through long-on, the right-arm fast bowler struck back three balls later, getting her out caught by Sciver-Brunt.

New batter Aaliyah Alleyne (two) did not last and neither did Jannillea Glasgow (four). Number eight batter Mandy Mangru, however, showed some lower-order resistance with the bat as she and Matthews combined for a cameo 47-run partnership.

While Mangru played a supporting role, Matthews showed aggression against the English bowling attack. In the penultimate over, Mangru was brilliantly caught by Bell, who dove to cling to the ball with both hands.

Matthews entered the final over on 89 runs and showed clear intent to achieve her third T20I century. And so she did. Matthews scored two runs off Bell’s first delivery, then hit her behind square to bring up 95 not out with four balls remaining.

The Bajan all-rounder clipped Bell for four off the penultimate ball and sneaked a single off the final ball to seal an unbeaten century on English soil.

Topping the bowling for England was Bell (2/29), while Smith (1/18), Emily Arlott (1/28) and Wong (1/35) bagged one each.

Set at 147 for victory, England openers Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge showed clear intent from the get-go. Dunkley spanked Glasgow for three fours in the second over to set the stage.

Wyatt-Hodge hit James over cover for four more then Dunkley swept Matthews for a boundary to keep the scorecard ticking upward. Dunkley smashed James for two consecutive fours in the final power play over, but James struck back by bowling Wyatt-Hodge off her penultimate delivery.

At 51/1 after the power play, England looked good in the middle, despite skipper Sciver-Brunt (duck) edging to Mangru behind the stumps, three balls into the seventh over. This would be the West Indies’ final dismissal as Dunkley and Knight repaired the innings and marched to victory.

The pair carried England to 80/2 after ten overs, needing a gettable 67 runs from 60 balls to win. Neither batter backed down from the challenge and peppered the West Indian bowling attack all across the ground.

In the 14th over, Dunkley was dropped by Alleyne running in from long-on, and the maroon women paid the price. Dunkley went on to hit 12 fours in the 56-ball, unbeaten knock of 81, while Knight smashed six boundaries, scoring 43 from 27 balls.

They cruised over the line halfway into the 17th over and will be gunning for a potential series victory when the next T20I bowls off at Hove on May 23, from 1.35 pm (TT time).

Matthews was still adjudged player of the match for her fine knock.

On the result, she said, “A good day for myself, but unfortunate not to get the win. Felt we were 15-20 runs short. We weren’t able to build as many partnerships. Hard to defend 150, on the wrong end today. Always good when you can hit a few well. I hope to carry the form through the series.”

“(Bowling) was going to be hard, plans were solid, but we missed out on execution. It’s about picking ourselves up and starting again. (There’s) still some positives to take from this game. Hopefully we have Staf (Stafanie Taylor) and Campbelle (Shemaine) back for the next game.”

Summarised Scores

WEST INDIES WOMEN 146/7 (20) – Hayley Matthews 100 not out, Mandy Mangru 17, Shabika Gajnabi 11; Lauren Bell 2/29, Linsey Smith 1/18, Emily Arlott 1/28, Issy Wong 1/35 vs ENGLAND WOMEN 150/2 (16.3) – Sophia Dunkley 81 not out, Heather Knight 43 not out, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 17 – England won by eight wickets.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

West Indies women had a losing start to their three-match Vitality T20I series against England on May 21, as they fell to a heavy eight-wicket defeat against the hosts at Canterbury.

Not even Hayley Matthews’ classy capture of her third T20I century (100 not out), which guided West Indies women to 146/7, batting first, could stave off the hosts, who rallied to a victorious 150/2 from 16.3 overs.

Sent in to bat, the visitors were highly dependent on their skipper Matthews’ opening stand, as seven batters failed to get within double figures.

Matthews was ruthless with the bat and struck 16 fours and one six from 64 balls to secure an unbeaten century off the final ball. Only wicketkeeper Mandy Mangru (17) and Shabika Gajnabi (11) showed some resistance with the bat as Matthews had no choice but to take charge.

Fast bowler Lauren Bell (2/29) was England’s best bowler while Linsey Smith (1/18), Emily Arlott (1/28) and Issy Wong (1/35) bagged one apiece.

In reply, England made light work of the target and raced to victory courtesy powerful knocks from opener Sophia Dunkley (81 not out) and Heather Knight (43 not out).

Dunkley faced 56 balls and hit 12 fours while Knight found the boundary six times in her 27-ball knock.

Zaida James bowled opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge (17) and new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (two) was caught behind by Mangru off Afy Fletcher’s spell, but those were the only scalps the Windies women could capture.

When Knight joined Dunkley in the middle, the pair shared the aggression and led England home with more than three overs to spare.

The second T20I bowls off at Hove on May 23 from 1.35 pm.

Summarised Scores

WEST INDIES WOMEN 146/7 (20) – Hayley Matthews 100 not out, Mandy Mangru 17, Shabika Gajnabi 11; Lauren Bell 2/29, Linsey Smith 1/18, Emily Arlott 1/28, Issy Wong 1/35 vs ENGLAND WOMEN 150/2 (16.3) – Sophia Dunkley 81 not out, Heather Knight 43 not out, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 17 – England won by eight wickets.