West Indies Women sealed the three-match ODI series with a commanding six-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the second ODI at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason. Chasing a competitive target of 242, the visitors made light work of the total thanks to magnificent centuries from captain Hayley Matthews and veteran Stafanie Taylor, reaching 242/4 in just 38.5 overs. Matthews was named Player of the Match for her match-winning hundred as the Caribbean side wrapped up the series with one game still to play.
Amy Hunter and Rebecca Stokell anchor Ireland’s competitive total
After opting to bowl first, West Indies Women kept Ireland’s opening pair relatively quiet. Sarah Forbes scored 17 from 28 balls, while skipper Gaby Lewis added 24 off 36 before both fell in the early stages.
Ireland rebuilt through Amy Hunter and Rebecca Stokell, who stitched together the innings with composed half-centuries. Hunter top-scored with a fluent 67 off 87 deliveries, striking seven boundaries, while Stokell contributed an equally valuable 57 from 76 balls with six fours. Their partnership steadied the innings after the early setbacks and laid the platform for a respectable total.
Leah Paul then injected momentum in the closing stages with a brisk 32 off 30 balls, while Alana Dalzell provided the finishing flourish by smashing 17 from just nine deliveries, including three boundaries. Ireland eventually posted 241/7 from their allotted 50 overs.
West Indies’ bowling effort was led by Matthews and Deandra Dottin, who claimed two wickets apiece. Matthews returned figures of 2/34 from her 10 overs, while Dottin was particularly economical with 2/15 from five overs. Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack chipped in with one wicket each.
Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor dominate in record-breaking partnership
West Indies suffered an early setback when Realeanna Grimmond departed for a duck, but that proved to be the only moment of concern during the chase. Matthews and Taylor then produced a batting masterclass, taking complete control of the contest with a monumental century stand that left Ireland’s bowlers with no answers.
Matthews was at her aggressive best, hammering an unbeaten 100 off just 94 balls with 14 fours and two sixes. Taylor matched her stroke for stroke, compiling a classy 100 from 105 deliveries, featuring 14 boundaries and a six. Their centuries ensured the required rate never became an issue as West Indies raced towards the target.
After Taylor’s dismissal, Dottin scored nine before Jannillea Glasgow added a quickfire unbeaten nine off five balls. Shemaine Campbelle remained not out on 10 as West Indies crossed the finish line with 67 balls to spare.
Ireland’s bowlers struggled to contain the visitors on a batting-friendly surface. Aimee Maguire claimed two wickets, while Orla Prendergast and Louise Little picked up one each, but the damage had already been done by the magnificent centuries from Matthews and Taylor.
West Indies take unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of final ODI
Having already secured a convincing nine-wicket victory in the opening match, West Indies Women have now wrapped up the three-match series with back-to-back wins. Their experienced batting unit has been the standout feature across both games, while the bowling attack has consistently restricted Ireland to manageable totals.
Ireland, despite encouraging contributions from Hunter and Stokell, will now aim to avoid a series sweep when the teams meet in the third and final ODI on Wednesday, July 15, at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason. West Indies, meanwhile, will be looking to complete a clean sweep and carry their dominant form into future assignments.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
