Magnificent hundreds from captain Hayley Matthews and veteran star Stafanie Taylor propelled West Indies women to a dominant six-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the second ODI. They are now leading the three-match series 2-0 with one fixture remaining.
Ireland women fight back despite early setbacks
After winning the toss and opting to field, West Indies struck early. Deandra Dottin removed openers Sarah Forbes (17) and Ireland captain Gaby Lewis (24) to leave the hosts at 44 for 2 in the 12th over.
Despite the early setbacks, Ireland women fought back followed by a 106-run fourth-wicket partnership between Amy Hunter and Rebecca Stokell. Hunter anchored the middle overs with a fluent 67 off 87 deliveries, while Stokell matched her composure with a punchy 57 off 76 balls. Their century stand pushed Ireland past 150 in the 36th over and laid the groundwork for a solid total.
Afy Fletcher dismissed Stokell to break the partnership and then Matthews took the key wicket of Hunter eight deliveries later. A brisk cameo of 32 from Leah Paul lifted Ireland women to 241/7 in their 50 overs. Matthews (2/34) and Dottin (2/15) finished as the standout bowlers for the visitors.
Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor register a dominant win
Chasing 242, West Indies stumbled on the sixth ball when opener Realeanna Grimmond was dismissed for 0. However, it only set the stage for a game-changing 158-run partnership between Matthews and Taylor.
Matthews attacked with authority to race to her second century of the series in just 94 balls. By the time she fell for exactly 100, West Indies were comfortably in control, needing only 83 more runs to win.
Taylor then reached her fifty off 62 balls before cruising to an unbeaten 100 off 105 deliveries. She sealed her century with a boundary and the six in the 39th over. With just one run to get, a no-ball from Alana Dalzell helped West Indies women to record the victory with more than11 overs to spare.
For more news & updates, follow The Crichub on Instagram, X and YouTube
