Matthews’ record-breaking century sinks Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC):

West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews blasted a magnificent century to give her side a winning start in their One Day International series against Zimbabwe Women on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Matthews scored a spectacular 182 off 156 balls – the highest individual score by a West Indies female player in an ODI – as the visitors strolled to a 99-run victory over the hosts.

After choosing to bat first, the Windies posted a competitive 299 for six in 50 overs at Harare Sports Club before bowling out Zimbabwe for 200 in 43.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

The win was set up by Matthews’ heroics at the top of the order, which helped to set a solid foundation.

Together with fellow opener Realeanna Grimmond, who supported well with a half- century, the two shared a partnership of 128 runs.

Both Matthews and Grimmond began their innings positively, with Grimmond the more aggressive of the two early on, hitting medium pacer Tendai Makushka for a four and six to move into the 30s.

Matthews was not to be left out, driving off spinner Nyasha Gwanzur for three boundaries in the 15th over, which carried her to 42 and the score to 92 without loss.

However, Zimbabwe got the breakthrough when spinner Beloved Biza had Grimmond caught behind after scoring 53 off 70 balls, which included seven fours and one six.

Stafanie Taylor made just two before being bowled by medium pacer Francisca Chipare at 139 for two.

Matthews then dominated a 48-run stand with Shemaine Campbelle, who scored 13, to help West Indies strengthen their grip on the contest.

During the partnership, she reached her 13th ODI century by driving spinner Nyasha Gwanzura through cover for two runs, celebrating the milestone by lifting her bat towards the dressing room.

Gwanzura did reap some reward by trapping Campbelle leg before wicket, but Matthews put her foot on the accelerator during a 71-run partnership with Chinelle Henry in under 10 overs.

By the time Henry was bowled by Chipare for 19, the Windies were in a strong position of 258 for four in the 46th over.

They would have been eyeing a total in excess of 300 with Matthews at the crease, but she was bowled by Makushka off the first ball of the last over to end her innings that featured 26 fours and two sixes.

It surpassed her previous highest ODI score of 159 not out against Ireland in July.

Early losses

Chipare was Zimbabwe’s best bowler with 2-57 from her 10 overs.

Zimbabwe Women recovered from the early losses of Sharne Mayers for 21 and Kelis Ndhlovu for 15, to find themselves comfortably placed at 100 for two in the 22nd over thanks mainly to a half century by Modester Mupachikwa.

But once spinner Afy Fletcher broke the 49-run stand between Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano by having the latter caught for 26, Zimbabwe lost their momentum.

Fletcher also accounted for the wicket of Beloved Biza for 11, while captain Josephine Nkomo was run out for 10 to see them slump to 152 for five at the end of 34 overs.

The end came swiftly thereafter as Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets for 48 runs, with Mupachikwa the last to fall for a fighting 86 off 106 balls with seven fours and one six.

Aaliyah Alleyne finished with 3-44, while Ashmini Munisar (2-27), Fletcher (2-31) and Jannillea Glasgow (2-37) all took two wickets apiece.