Matthews stars as West Indies Women seal ODI series

West Indies Women sealed a 2-1 series victory over Zimbabwe in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, beating the hosts by 91 runs in the decisive third One Day International in Harare, with captain Hayley Matthews producing her second century of the tour.

Chasing 272 for victory, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 180 in the 48th over, as captain Josephine Nkomo top-scored with an unbeaten 74 from 109 balls, including five fours and one six.

That total marked somewhat of a recovery, after Zimbabwe had earlier slipped from nine for two in the third over, to 31 for three in the ninth over and then 85 for five in the 25th over.

A disciplined bowling effort from West Indies saw Ashmini Munisar take two for 32, Jannillea Glasgow two for 37 and Aaliyah Alleyne two for 39.

Earlier after losing the toss and being sent into bat, West Indies amassed a challenging 271 for five from their allotted 50 overs.

Captain Matthews led the way with her 14th ODI century and second of the series.

Her innings of 118 came from 113 deliveries and featured 18 fours and one six. 

The knock also brought her tally of runs in the series to 326, scored at an average of 108.66, as she secured the Player-of-the-Match and Player-of-the-Series awards.

Matthews was supported by Shemaine Campbelle, who fell just short of her own century, after being dismissed for 96 from 119 balls. Campbelle’s knock included 13 fours.

For Zimbabwe, Nomvelo Sibanda took two for 42 and Beloved Biza two for 46.

West Indies pacer Aaliyah Alleyne took seven wickets during the series, with her teammate Ashmini Munisar grabbing six.

The two sides will next square off in a three-match T20 series, which begins at the same venue on Saturday.

(KH)