Captain Matthews focused on winning start at home

With confidence high and spirits lifted, Hayley Matthews has signalled the West Indies Women’s readiness for a competitive home series as they prepare to face the Sri Lanka Women’s National cricket team in the opening One-Day International on February 20.
The first ODI bowls off at 09:30h at the National Cricket Stadium, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely contested encounter between two evenly matched sides.
Speaking on arrival in Grenada, Matthews emphasised the significance of beginning the year against formidable opposition.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to start the year off against some really good opposition in Sri Lanka,” she said. “They’re a team we’ve matched up closely with in previous games and who always give us a massive challenge to compete against. We’re certainly looking forward to playing them.”
The West Indies captain noted that morale within the camp is strong, with players eager to translate preparation into performance. Having engaged Sri Lanka in tightly fought contests in recent years, Matthews believes the familiarity between the teams will heighten the intensity of the series.
“We’re two teams that match up really well, and we know once we’re at our best, we’re going to be right there competing to win games and hopefully win this series,” she added.
Beyond the immediate contest, Matthews also highlighted her role in guiding the next generation within the squad. With several young players included in the line-up, she sees the series as an opportunity for growth and development.
“They’re obviously young and have quite a lot to learn, but the good thing with the youngsters in our team is that they’re very keen, very hungry and want to improve,” Matthews said. “For me, it’s about going out there and doing my thing, but also making sure we nurture them to become the best version of themselves in the future.”
The upcoming series carries added importance for the Caribbean side, which has had limited opportunities to host matches in the region in recent times. Matthews expressed her team’s determination to make home conditions count.
“We haven’t had many series in the Caribbean of late, so this year is going to be a great chance for us to make home ours and really give teams a hard time coming down here,” she stated. “Playing on our soil, in front of our crowd, we want to set the tone for how we approach the rest of the year.”
With anticipation building in Grenada, fans can expect an energetic start to the series as West Indies Women aim to assert themselves early and lay down a marker for the months ahead. The first ball on February 20 will not only signal the start of the ODI contest but also the beginning of what Matthews hopes will be a defining home campaign for her team.