Hayley Matthews’s first One-Day International century coupled with Deandra Dottin’s all-round show led Windies Women’s to a mammoth 115-run victory over South Africa in the pivotal third and final match of the ICC/Sandals International Home Series Women’s Championship.
South African Captain Dane van Niekirk (left), BCA CEO Roland Toppin, and Stafanie Taylor (right) pose with the shared series trophy following the 1-1 result
After losing her opening partner Kycia Knight in the third over, Matthews played the starring role in a 176-run second-wicket partnership with Captain Stafanie Taylor (46).
Matthews has become only the fifth female player from the Caribbean to hit an ODI hundred. She cracked 15 fours in her 117 as the Caribbean side racked up an imposing 292-5, their second highest ODI total ever, from their allotted 50 overs.
Seasoned all-rounder Deandra Dottin smoked 59 from 44 balls, in which were four fours and three sixes, before returning to snap up 4-36; her second best OID figures. Only South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp stood out amidst the carnage, to end with 4-55. South Africa lost openers Lizelle Lee and Sune Luus inside the first five overs, after half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt (54) and in-form captain Dane van Niekerk (77) added 108 for the third wicket. Wolvaardt was eventually stumped off leg-spinner Afy Fletcher’s bowling, while Dottin ran through the South Africa middle/lower order. South Africa lost their last six wickets for 25 runs, with the team being bowled out for 177 in the 43rd over.
After the win, West Indies moved to fourth on the ICC Women’s Championship points table, while South Africa remained second-last in the eight-team competition.
Hayley Mathews celebrates her maiden ODI ton at home
The victory earned the Windies women two points on the Championship table, taking them into fourth place with nine from nine matches, three behind leaders New Zealand and two behind both Australia Women and World champions England Women.
The ICC Women’s Championship is played between the eight leading sides – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Windies, facing each other in series of three ODIs on a home or away basis.
Hosts New Zealand and the three other top teams from the Championship will gain direct qualification for the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup. The remaining four sides will get a second chance through the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier event in which they will be joined by six teams from four regions: Africa, Asia, East Asia Pacific and Europe. (Clifton Ross)
South Africa lost openers Lizelle Lee and Sune Luus inside the first five overs, after half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt (54) and in-form captain Dane van Niekerk (77) added 108 for the third wicket. Wolvaardt was eventually stumped off leg-spinner Afy Fletcher’s bowling, while Dottin ran through the South Africa middle/lower order. South Africa lost their last six wickets for 25 runs, with the team being bowled out for 177 in the 43rd over.
