Matthews’ explosive 85 powers West Indies to dominant win over India

NAVI MUMBAI, India, (CMC) – A magnificent unbeaten 85 from skipper Hayley Matthews led West Indies to a commanding nine-wicket win over India in the second T20I, emphatically leveling the series at one game each here on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 160, the West Indies cruised to victory with 26 balls to spare and in the process snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Indians.

India, who had posted a formidable total in the series opener, found it difficult this time. Opener Uma Chetry went early for four and Jemimah Rodrigues, the hero of the first game, endured a scratch before being caught lbw by Matthews for 13 in the last over of the power play. With debutant Raghvi Bist departing cheaply for five, India found themselves in trouble at 48-3 in the ninth over.

Smriti Mandhana shouldered the burden of accelerating the innings and despite being dropped twice, went on to top score with 62 from 41 balls with nine fours and a six. The opener added 56 valuable runs for the fourth wicket with Deepti Sharma chipping in with 17 runs.

India’s innings faltered in the death overs despite a boundary-laden 32 from 17 balls from wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh. Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Matthews and Afy Fletcher took two wickets each.

West Indies began their chase in explosive fashion, with Qiana Joseph smashing three fours and a six off Titas Sadhu in the second over.

Matthews followed suit and took Renuka Thakur to task in the very next over. The duo put together 65 runs during the powerplay, effectively putting India on the back foot.

Although Joseph was dismissed after being the best Saima Thakor for 38 years, Matthews continued his onslaught. Vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle (29 not out) joined in with three consecutive boundaries off Sadhu as the Guyanese played a supporting role as Matthews took control. At the halfway mark, West Indies had already amassed 94 runs, leaving India with an insurmountable task.

Matthews brought up his half-century with four consecutive boundaries off Radha Yadav and sealed the deal by attacking Thakor for three more.

Her stunning unbeaten knock ensured the West Indies ended the chase in the 16th over, securing a comprehensive victory and setting up a thrilling series decider on Thursday.

Scoreboard

INDIA

Smriti Mandhana c Fletcher b Matthews 62

Uma Chetry b Dottin 4

Jemimah Rodrigues lbw Matthews 13

Raghvi Bist lbw Fletcher 5

Deepti Sharma runs out 17

+Richa Ghosh c +Campbell b Dottin 32

Sajeevan Sajana lbw Fletcher 2

Radha Yadav c Dottin b Henry 7

Saima Thakor c Dottin b Henry 6

Tita’s Sadhu not out 1

Renuka Singh not out 4

Extra material (w6) 6

TOTAL (four nines; 20 overs) 159

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-35, 3-48, 4-104, 5-108, 6-113, 7-144, 8-149, 9-155

Bowling: Henry 4-0-37-2, ,Dottin 4-0-14-2, Hayley Matthews 4-0-36-2, Ramharack 3-0-19-0, Fletcher 3-0-28-2, Ashmini Munisar 2-0-25-0

WEST INDIES

*Hayley Matthews 85 not out

Qiana Joseph c +Ghosh b Thakor 38

+Shemaine Campbelle not out 29

Extra material (lb 1, nb 1, w6) 8

TOTAL (one wicket; 15.4 overs) 160

Did Not Beat: Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Nerissa Crafton, Shabika Gajnabi, Afy Fletcher, Zaida James, Ramharack, Ashmini Minisar

Fall of wickets: 1-66

Bowling: Singh 3-0-29-0, Sadhu 2-0-32-0, Sharma 3-0-26-0, Thakor 3-0-28-1, Yadav 2-0-27-0, Sajeevan Sajana 2.4 -0-17-0

Result: West Indies Women won by 9 wickets and drew 1-1 in the three matches.

Umpires: Kaushik Ghandi, Mohit Krishnadas

TV judge: Eloise Sheridan

Substitute Referee: Ankita Guha.

Referee of the match: Narayanan Kutty