Born on day, 19th March 1998 in Barbados, current ODI and T20 player for West Indies, Hayley Matthews is a dual international.
Hayley made her cricket debut for Barbados in the WICB Women’s Championships in 2010 at the age of twelve. In the semi-final of that competition she made 4 runs from 22 balls opening the batting but Barbados lost the final against St Lucia.
Perhaps insignificant at the time, but having finals experience from the age of twelve would be a tremendous advantage later on. Good experience around her in the Barbados team: the Knight sisters, Pamela Lavine, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell – all current or future players for West Indies.
In 2013 and 2014 she represented Barbados in javelin at the CARIFTA Games in the junior ranks. In 2015 she won gold.
In 2014/15 Hayley made her ODI against Australia, cap 81 for the West Indies, age sixteen. Opening the batting with Kycia Knight she scored 55 from 86 balls. She took two catches as well in a solid introduction to the big time. In 2017 she played in her first ODI World Cup.
In 2014/15 also made her T20 International debut, cap 34, against New Zealand and has played continuously for the West Indies since that time.
It was in Kolkata on 31st March 2016 when Hayley played in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup when West Indies took on New Zealand. This time the result went her way as the team made their way to the final against Australia.
Meg Lanning won the toss for Australia and chose to bat. Matthews opened the bowling with her Barbados team mate Shamilia Connell. In her first over Hayley removed the dangerous Alyssa Healy, caught and bowled for four. She took 1-13 from her two overs as Australia put on a good total for a final of 5/148.
Hayley opened the batting with captain Stafanie Taylor as they had done throughout the tournament. They had to resist a world class attack in Perry, Schutt, Jonassen and more. Hayley was the first to be dismissed, but not before she had caused a heap of damage to the more fancied opponents. She scored 66 runs from 45 balls – strike rate 146 – with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Stafanie Taylor finished the job the youngster had started and West Indies were victorious, Hayley Matthews was hailed a champion.
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