Cricket 2023: West Indies win second T20 by seven wickets, Hayley Matthews blasts 132

A sensational close to Australia’s innings by Phoebe Litchfield looked to have put the Aussies in an unloseable position, then out walked Hayley Matthews to the crease for the visitors.

Hayley Matthews lifted the West Indies to victory. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

The West Indies have spoiled the party with a record-breaking run chase to secure a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I against Australia.

It was prime batting conditions under lights at North Sydney Oval, and both teams took advantage as they found the boundary for fun.

Australia looked comfortable after posting 212 from their 20 overs, but a blistering century from West Indies’ captain Hayley Matthews propelled her team to a win.

Matthews finished on 132, the highest individual score by a West Indies player in women’s T20Is, as her side completed the greatest-ever run chase in the format.

The previous mark was set by England in 2018 when they chased down 199 against India.

After being stranded on 99* on Sunday, Matthews left nothing to chance. She powered past her century and finished her knock with 25 boundaries.

She was dismissed in the penultimate over by Jess Jonassen to give the Aussies a sniff, but the damage had been done and the West Indies levelled the series.

Hayley Matthews dominated from the start of the innings. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) /

“I just think we [bowled] too wide all day,” Australian skipper Alyssa Healy said.

“You look at the way [Matthews] bats, she’s batting on leg-stump trying to open up the offside. I think we probably gave her a little bit too much room in that department today.

“She gave a few chances and we probably let ourselves down in that department. Especially in T20 cricket, it’s hard to drop a player like that and expect you’re going to get away with it.

“[There are a] few little key areas that we can take away. But it’s the same thing, we’re probably not executing when we really need to which we probably need to fix.”

Matthews’ innings overshadowed what was a phenomenal batting performance from Australia.

Shelly Nitschke’s side showcased their new aggressive philosophy in the first match of the series but took it to another level on Monday.

Ellyse Perry, 70 off 46 balls, recorded her highest T20I score in Australia, while Phoebe Litchfield equalled the record for the fastest half-century in the format with an 18-ball 50.

But the hosts looked hapless in the field as Matthews and Stafanie Taylor combined for a 174-run partnership off just 88 balls.

Matthews in particular targeted the off-side boundary with Australia refusing to relent from their plan and leaving all their fielders inside the circle.

There were some nerves late in the innings as two late wickets fell, but the West Indies chased down the target with one ball remaining.

HAYLEY’S COMET HITS NORTH SYDNEY

Hayley Matthews yet again showed why she is one of, if not, the most damaging all-rounder in world cricket.

The West Indies’ captain starred with the ball as she picked up three wickets, including both Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney.

But she did her best work with the bat, single-handedly dragging her side into contention with an incredible century.

The Aussies had their chances to end her stay at the crease, but Megan Schutt and Phoebe Litchfield dropped her on 30* and 87* respectively.

In the end, she was playing with the Australian fielders as she targeted the offside boundary and put all the Australian bowlers off their game.

The 25-year-old finished on 132 off 64 deliveries, including five sixes, to lead her side to an incredible victory.

Phoebe Litchfield’s innings put the Aussies in almost anj unloseable position. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

PHOEBE THE FINISHER

Phoebe Litchfield has already cemented her place in the Australian team, but the 20-year-old pulled out all the tricks in her sensational innings.

She cleared the rope five times, including off her second ball, as she looked to give the crowd at North Sydney Oval plenty of catching practice. Litchfield had previously hit only one six in international cricket.

Her strike rate of 273.68 was well above her career T20 mark of 112.46 as she looks to make the No.6 spot in the Australian line-up her own.

It was an unfamiliar position for Litchfield who has made her name on the back of her classy technique. But it’s the next evolution in the youngster’s game as she looks to dominate all three formats.

“When you’re leaving a player like Grace Harris out to try a leftie in the middle order and she comes out and does something like that, it’s great signs for the depth of our side,” Healy said.

“I think she’s always had the talent. I think it’s just a little bit of belonging at this level. Opportunities like that to go out there and hit the ball hard and hit 360 [degrees] like she can do is invaluable for someone like her to gain confidence.”

Originally published as Cricket 2023: West Indies win second T20 by seven wickets, Hayley Matthews blasts 132