Matthews: Important points still at stake in final ODI

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is aiming to complete a series sweep when her side faces Ireland in the third One Day International at Bready on Wednesday.

Matthews made history in the second ODI, becoming the first West Indies Women’s player to score consecutive centuries, after smashing 100 off 94 balls. Her effort, combined with an unbeaten century from Stafanie Taylor, helped set up a series-clinching six-wicket victory by six wickets at the same venue on Sunday.

The all-rounder was delighted with the team’s performances so far.

Captain Hayley Mathews became the first West Indies Women’s player to score back-to-back ODI centuries. (Photo Credit: CWI Media)

“Series win, obviously super important, so I’m glad we could get that out of the way. At the same time, I think we came here and the points were definitely a priority.

“It’s really good that we were able to get four so far with the first two wins, but there are still really important points to play for in our last match,” she said. “Hopefully we can get two more on the board, and get ourselves climbing up that ladder.”

Despite her own personal good form with the bat and ball, Matthews remains focused on the team’s objectives. With that in mind, she said scoring a third consecutive century is not her main priority ahead of the next game.

“Hopefully, look I try not to focus on the result too much, but just go through the process once again. I’m doing what I need to do and hopefully the result at the end of the day is something good,” she stated.

Taylor meanwhile was happy to contribute to the series clinching victory during the second game.

“I always enjoy batting with Hayley. We both understand each other when we’re out there and we support each other, because we know how each other plays. It’s always easy to bat with her.”

During her unbeaten century, Taylor surpassed 500 ODI runs against Ireland, but was unaware of the milestone. She also shed some light on her approach to completing her century rapidly, near the end of the innings.

West Indies needed 11 runs to win, while Taylor needed ten to get to 100.

“Well for me with 11 runs (for victory) and I needed ten, I just, I said to Minnie, I don’t care about 100, I just don’t want to train tomorrow. I need a break from training, so as long as we get over the line, it means that we’re not gonna train.”

Taylor continued, “But she said to me, no, you have to get your 100… I

 said, all right, I’m gonna try and then I, I heard the players in the dugout, they were cheering and backing me to have a go. 

“I said, all right, I’m just gonna have a go and if it comes off, it comes off. 

 And yeah, it did,” Taylor explained.

(KH)