Matthews: We were outclassed by Australia

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews has conceded that her side was dominated by Australia Women in their recently concluded white-ball home series.

The visitors produced an authoritative performance on their way to sweeping the three-match T20I and One Day International series.

They wrapped up the ODI series on Thursday with a one-sided nine-wicket victory at Warner Park, after skittling out the Windies for 136 and then romping to 137 for one in 19.4 overs.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Matthews admitted that her side was outplayed by the top-ranked Australians.

However, she said there were still some positives the home side could take from the series, despite the loss.

“With them coming down here, we always knew it was going to be a tough assignment. I think, when we look at the series and how our spinners bowled throughout, I think that’s one area where we can be proud of, but obviously a clear skill gap between the two teams.

“But, at the same time, I noticed a lot that we can work on and it was a great opportunity for a lot of our younger girls to have the experience to go out there and play against some of the best players,” Matthews said.

“We obviously have quite a few within the set-up now and this was the perfect opportunity for them to come out and understand what the highest level of cricket is like and definitely a few bright sparks in Ashmini [Munisar] and the way she went in that second match and even the way Realeanna [Grimmond] set up today. It’s pretty good to have them amongst us and playing against this competition and hopefully they can understand and learn a lot from these opportunities.”

Regarding her batting form, Matthews said she wasn’t worried despite not scoring a half-century in any of the T20Is.

“I got off to starts in all three games and I just wasn’t able to carry on in my innings, and that can happen sometimes.

“I surely would have loved to get a big one, but I’m going to have to look at that conversion and see how I can get deeper in my innings in the future. But, at the same time, I thought I was hitting the ball really well, getting in some really good positions and then just getting out. So I don’t think it’s too much to worry about, just a case where I really didn’t get too deep in any of my innings,” Matthews said.

Scores: West Indies Women 136 in 35.4 overs (Chinelle Henry 42 not out, Hayley Matthews 34, Deandra Dottin 22, Realeanna Grimmond 20; Alana King 5-19, Ashleigh Gardner 2-29).

Australia Women 137-1 in 19.4 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 68 not out, Ellyse Perry 33 not out, Georgia Voll 23).