Ten years after West Indies celebrated their last Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, captain Hayley Matthews says the current squad is eager to create another moment capable of bringing the Caribbean together when they begin their campaign against defending champions New Zealand at 1.30 p.m. (T&T time) today. The fixture is a repeat of the 2024 semi-final, when New Zealand ended West Indies’ hopes of reaching the final, but Matthews insisted revenge is not driving her side. The eagerly-anticipated Group 1 contest marks the start
of the Maroon Warriors’ campaign in a tournament that will see them face New Zealand, hosts England, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland in the race for a spot in the knock-out stages. Matthews insisted that the West Indies head into the match focused instead on securing the strong start that could shape their World Cup fortunes. “I don’t feel like it’s necessarily revenge,” Matthews said. “We probably didn’t have our best match that day and it was unfortunate how we went down.” Instead, she views
the contest as a pivotal encounter in a tightly contested group. “If we do get the better of them tomorrow, it puts us in a really good position going into the remainder of the games,” she said. “Hopefully we can get the better of them and start our tournament really well.” West Indies are also monitoring the fitness of vice-captain Chinelle Henry, who aggravated a previous injury. Matthews said Henry remained a day-to-day proposition heading into the match. “There’s definitely hope,” she said. “We’re hoping
for tomorrow, but we’ve got to wait until tomorrow and see.” Henry’s absence would be significant given her role with both bat and ball. “She’s a leader in the team, one of our opening bowlers and a crucial batter at five or six,” Matthews said. “It would be a massive blow to us as a group.” The West Indies skipper, however, backed her side to adapt if required. “We’d have to figure out a way to move on and still be able to hopefully win
games,” she said. Ten years on from their 2016 triumph, Matthews said the current squad is motivated by the opportunity to unite the region once again. “We know it would mean so much to the Caribbean people if we could win a competition like this,” she said. “For us, it really is about wearing that badge and representing it really well.” Matthews also praised the youthful members of the squad, noting their willingness to learn despite arriving at international level with limited experience. “They’re really
keen and interested in learning and getting better,” she said. “They’re open to listening and just wanting to improve.” The captain believes the warm-up matches against stronger opposition, despite the results, have helped prepare the group for the demands of tournament cricket. “Having those young girls get out there and come up against two of the better sides in the world certainly warms them up to what it’s going to be like,” she said. And if history is any guide, Matthews feels West Indies thrive
when the stakes are highest. “History probably shows it for West Indies men’s and women’s teams,” she said. “We tend to show up to the occasion a lot. Hopefully this is a year where we can go there and show up once more when it really matters,” Matthews added. WEST INDIES: Hayley Matthews (captain), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector. NEW ZEALAND: Melie
Kerr (captain), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu.
West Indies women, Hayley Matthews, Chinelle Henry, New Zealand women, Women’s T20 World Cup, Group 1, Maroon Warriors