In a landmark moment for West Indies women’s cricket, 27-year-old all-rounder and skipper Hayley Matthews etched her name into history as the seventh West Indies woman player to reach 100 ODI appearances.
The milestone arrived in the series opener against Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada, on February 20, 2026, where Matthews led her side in a tense 10-run defeat while chasing 241. Opening alongside Qiana Joseph, she scored a gritty 13 off 26 balls, including a couple of boundaries.
She had an impressive day with the ball, claiming 2-46 from her 10 overs to dismiss rival skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshika Silva. Despite the 1-0 series deficit in this three-match ODI showdown (followed by three T20Is through March 3), Matthews’ dual impact underscored her evolution from prodigy to powerhouse.
Hayley Matthews’ international journey began with a T20I debut against New Zealand on September 27, 2014, in Kingstown, followed swiftly by her ODI bow against Australia on November 11, 2014, in Sydney. Over 100 ODIs, she has amassed 3,087 runs in 97 innings at an average of 33.55 and a strike rate of 76.24, featuring 9 centuries and 8 half-centuries.
Her pinnacle batting knock? A masterful 141 off 149 balls (19 boundaries) opening with Rashada Williams against Pakistan on April 23, 2024, in Karachi. That effort propelled West Indies to 278/6, securing an 88-run win and Player of the Match honours for her all-round dominance.
With the ball, Matthews is equally formidable, snaring 127 wickets across 94 innings at an average of 24.07 and economy of 4.12, including five four-wicket hauls. Her standout spell came on March 18, 2022, at Mount Maunganui during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, where she claimed 4-15 from 10 overs (1 maiden) against Bangladesh in the second innings. West Indies clung on for a thrilling 4-run victory, earning her another Player of the Match award and cementing her reputation as a clutch performer.
As the West Indies eye a comeback, all eyes turn to the second ODI on February 22, 2026, at the same Grenada venue from 7 PM IST. With Sri Lanka leading under Athapaththu, Matthews’ leadership and versatility will be key to levelling the series. At 27, she’s not just hitting milestones, she’s redefining them for a new generation of Caribbean talent.
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