West Indies Women’s Captain Calls for Team to Overcome Batting Struggles West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews took responsibility for her team’s recent batting struggles following their 43-run defeat to Australia Women in the opening T20I match in St Vincent. The home side’s bowlers restricted the Australians to 164 for six in 20 overs, but the West Indies could only manage 121 for six despite being in a strong position at 76 for one. Matthews, the opener, scored just 11, with only Qiana Joseph (45 off 39 balls) and Stafanie Taylor (28 off 25 balls) providing significant resistance. The captain admitted her own form had been poor since returning to action this year after shoulder surgery in 2025, which she linked to the team’s underwhelming batting performances. Speaking after the match, Matthews acknowledged the team’s batting struggles, noting that their recent white-ball series against Sri Lanka had also been disappointing. “We can take the positive out of how we bowled today, but over the last few matches we’ve probably been disappointing with the bat,” she said. She emphasized the need for the batting group to improve, stating, “We have to figure out ways to score and get better as a team.” Matthews praised the bowlers for their performance, particularly the pacers who took early wickets. However, she pointed out that the team’s batting execution fell short of expectations. “We probably figured 160 would be a good target, and I was pretty happy with how that went,” she said. “The conditions weren’t too bad, but we didn’t execute how we wanted to today.” The captain expressed her determination to see the team bounce back, stressing the importance of regaining confidence. “I want us to come back strong,” she said. “It’s going to be really important that we pick ourselves up.#st_vincent #west_indies_women #hayley_matthews #qiana_joseph #stafanie_taylor
Australian Captain Sophie Molinny Returns for T20I Series Against West Indies Sofie Molinny, the captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, has confirmed her recovery from a recent injury and is set to return for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. The series, which will take place in Saint Vincent, is crucial for Australia as it serves as their final T20I preparation before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on June 12. Molinny, who sustained an injury during her debut match against South Africa, has been working closely with the coaching staff to regain her fitness. She expressed confidence in her readiness to contribute to the team’s success. “This series is vital for us, as we won’t have many opportunities to play matches before the World Cup. Every game is a chance to fine-tune our strategies and ensure we’re in peak form,” she said. The Australian team, led by Molinny, includes key players such as Ashley Gardner (vice-captain), Tahlia McGrav (vice-captain), and other experienced batters and all-rounders. The squad will face the West Indies in three T20Is starting on March 19, followed by three ODIs from March 27 to April 2. Molinny also highlighted the importance of balancing leadership with on-field performance. “I’m ready to lead the team from the front, both on and off the field. My focus is on ensuring we play our best cricket and achieve our goals,” she added. The West Indies, meanwhile, are grouped in the same World Cup pool as Australia, with both teams aiming to secure a strong position in the tournament. The T20I series will serve as a critical test for both sides ahead of the global competition.#west_indies #australian_women_cricket_team #sophie_molinny #st_vincent #icc_womens_t20_world_cup
