Classy Matthews knock levels T20 series for West Indies

Hayley Matthews produced a captain’s innings to guide the West Indies to a six-wicket victory over the Proteas Women in a low-scoring second T20 International (T20I) at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados on Sunday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

In response to South Africa’s total of 113/6 from their allotted 20 overs, Matthews anchored the Windies' chase with an unbeaten 63 off 56 balls, including five fours and a six. Despite the best efforts of Nonkululeko Mlaba, who returned figures of 2/17, the West Indies reached their target with four balls to spare.

South Africa, having been put in to bat, made a steady start through openers Laura Wolvaardt (16) and the in-form Tazmin Brits (14), taking the score to 30 without loss by the fourth over.

However, the West Indies struck back. Jahzara Claxton (1/27) dismissed Wolvaardt, while Matthews (1/15) removed Marizanne Kapp for a duck, reducing South Africa to 32/2 by the end of the PowerPlay.

With the home side building momentum and runs becoming harder to come by, Brits fell in the ninth over, bowled by Afy Fletcher (2/13).

A 29-run stand between Nadine de Klerk (20) and Miané Smit (13) offered some resistance, pushing the Proteas Women to 69/3 before De Klerk’s dismissal, caught by Matthews off Fletcher, marked a turning point.

The West Indies didn’t have to wait too long for more wickets to fall, with Smit and Chloé Tryon (4) sent back to the dugout by Karishma Ramharack (2/25) to leave the tourists 79/6 with less than five overs to go.

Youngsters Karabo Meso (14*) and Annerie Dercksen (21*) managed to add an unbroken 34-run partnership to take South Africa to a modest 113/6 at the end of their innings.

In response, the West Indies began confidently. Openers Qiana Joseph (17) and Matthews guided their side to 33/0 after six overs. The opening partnership grew to 41 before Joseph lofted one off Ayabonga Khaka (1/27), caught by Masabata Klaas in the eighth over.

Soon after the Windies passed 50, debutant Shawnisha Hector (3) was dismissed by Klaas (1/22), giving South Africa their second breakthrough.

Needing just around a run a ball, the home side added 20 more runs through a third-wicket partnership between Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle (7). Campbelle was eventually undone by a top edge off Mlaba’s bowling, to leave the hosts 70/3 in the 13th over before the left-arm spinner struck again in her next over, trapping Chinelle Henry (3) LBW.

That, however, proved to be the final wicket of the match. Matthews demonstrated her composure as she brought up her 18th T20I half-century and led the Windies in a decisive 39-run stand with Jannilea Glasgow (15*), who sealed the win with a boundary in the final over.

The series decider will be played on Monday at 2pm local time (8pm SAST), with live coverage on SuperSport Cricket (212).

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World LIons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Fixtures

ODI Series

Wednesday - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados (West Indies won by four wickets - DLS)

Saturday - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados (South Africa won by 40 runs)

Tuesday - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados (South Africa won by 166 runs - DLS)

T20I Series

Friday - 8pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados (South Africa won by 50 runs)

Sunday - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados (West Indies won by six wickets)

Monday - 8pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados