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Hayley Matthews’ Century Overshadowed as England Thrash West Indies in 1st T20I
England Begin Series with Convincing Win in Northampton
England Women cruised to a comfortable 8-wicket victory over West Indies Women in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Northampton. Despite a brilliant unbeaten century from West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, her team faltered due to a lack of support from the rest of the batting order. England’s composed chase was anchored by a career-best knock from Sophia Dunkley, who remained unbeaten on 81, guiding her side to a 1-0 lead in the series.
Hayley Matthews Lone Warrior in West Indies Batting Collapse
A Century in Vain
Opting to bat first, the West Indies were immediately rocked by early wickets. While Matthews stood tall at one end, her teammates struggled to put bat to ball. The explosive opener carried her bat, finishing unbeaten on 100 from 67 deliveries — her third T20I century — bringing up the milestone off the final delivery of the innings.
Matthews struck boundaries at will, showcasing elegant timing and fierce power, but found little support. The next highest score came from Mandy Mangru, who managed just 17, highlighting the one-woman show. Lauren Bell was England’s pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/29, applying the pressure throughout the middle overs.
Dunkley and Knight Steer England to Emphatic Win
Steady Start, Dominant Finish
In reply, England lost Danielle Wyatt-Hodge early after a brisk 51-run partnership in the PowerPlay. New skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt couldn’t make a mark either, departing quickly. However, Sophia Dunkley remained composed and fluent throughout her innings.
Partnering with Heather Knight, Dunkley added an unbroken 94-run stand for the third wicket. Knight’s 43* off 27 balls complemented Dunkley’s authoritative 81* off 56, which featured clean hitting and precise placement. The pair completed the chase in just 16.3 overs, with 21 balls to spare, underlining England’s dominance.
Series Outlook: England Take Momentum Into Next Game
With a strong all-round performance, England now hold the momentum heading into the second T20I. West Indies, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly, especially addressing their middle-order vulnerabilities. While Matthews continues to shine as the lone beacon, the team requires collective contributions to stay competitive.
For fans eager to track the full West Indies Women’s Tour of England 2025 fixtures and stats, ESPNcricinfo offers comprehensive coverage.
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