In a recent episode of ESPNCricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, West Indies captain and all-rounder Hayley Matthews discussed the challenges and potential of West Indies women’s cricket. She also touched on the upcoming T20 World Cup and the return of Deandra Dottin, highlighting the importance of dedication and teamwork.
Matthews, a right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler, acknowledges that West Indies women’s cricket has lagged in recent years. However, as captain, she is committed to doing “double the work” compared to opposition sides to help them catch up.
Hayley Matthews acknowledged that the Caribbean has fallen behind in cricket development but noted that Cricket West Indies is taking steps to address this.
“The reality of it is that we probably dropped behind a bit in the Caribbean,” Matthews tells ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast. “But it’s also something that Cricket West Indies have noticed, and I do see them making and taking steps in order to get that growing again.
She highlighted the formation of various programmes, including an academy team in the West Indies and individual island initiatives. Matthews stated that, in Barbados, for example, the Barbados Royals have started a free girls’ camp to teach the game to any interested girl.
“There’s so many programmes that are starting to form in the Caribbean. We have an academy team in the West Indies now and, within the islands, islands are starting to do their own thing,” she said. Matthews further added, “In Barbados, the Barbados Royals were able to just start a girls’ camp, which is really good, free of charge for every single girl who wants to come out in Barbados and just learn the game.”
Matthews, 26, made her international debut in T20I format against New Zealand on September 27, 2014, in Kingstown. Since then, she has competed in 180 international matches, amassing 4,773 runs and taking 199 wickets.
Matthews took over as West Indies captain in 2022, succeeding Stafanie Taylor. During Taylor’s captaincy, the West Indies won the T20 World Cup in 2016. However, since that triumph, the team has faced a decline, struggling to build depth due to a lack of resources.
Matthews highlighted how she learned from Stafanie Taylor’s captaincy, noting Taylor’s ability to set an example on the field by playing a crucial role in every major performance, whether by scoring runs or taking wickets.
Quoting Hayley Matthews, “One thing I learned from a player like Stafanie Taylor with her captaincy is the way she was able to go out and set an example on the field,” Matthews says. “She played a massive role in every big performance that we had, and she led by example, scoring runs, taking wickets.”
Matthews aims to emulate Taylor by leading from the front and creating a unified team culture with a common goal.
“I’ve tried to emulate that part of it and just being at the front of the team and setting an example on the field specifically, but off the field as well, creating a culture where we can all be one, we all have one goal that we want to go towards,” she said.
With the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh nearing, where West Indies are in Group B with England, South Africa, Bangladesh and Scotland, Matthews acknowledged that they are entering as underdogs but expressed optimism about their chances. She noted that their current group looks favourable, and while their main goal is to advance past the group stage, winning would be ideal.
“We’re going in as underdogs again and there’s no doubt about that,” Matthews says. “I think we’re in a pretty good group at the moment looking at the two of them, but look, we obviously do want to get out of that group stage, and it would be great to win,” she further added.
Matthews emphasized that a T20 game can be won by a single standout performance, recalling their unexpected victory in Australia where they chased down 212 runs. This experience boosts their confidence for the T20 World Cup, knowing that if one or two players perform exceptionally each day, they can be highly effective.
She highlighted, “One thing we could be looking at is the fact that a T20 game can be won through a performance, and it only takes one really big one on a day. We saw that when we went to Australia. No one, probably ourselves, would’ve ever thought that we’d be going down there and chasing 212 to win a match.” She added, “That puts us in pretty good spirits going into a T20 World Cup knowing that if one of us or two of us can bring our A game each day, we can probably do a lot of damage.”
Deandra Dottin, who recently reversed her international retirement after stepping away in 2022, has made a notable announcement. While it remains uncertain if she will be selected for the T20 World Cup, the timing of her return is significant.
Matthews said that Deandra is someone who always gives 100 percent on the field. She mentioned that this news is quite fresh and has only come about in the last few days.
“With Deandra, one thing I can say for sure is she is someone who, when she steps onto the field, she is going to give 100 percent every single time,” Matthews says. “It’s quite fresh news for us, this has only come about over the last few days or so.
Matthews emphasized the importance of having discussions with Deandra and the team before making further comments. She noted that Deandra’s commitment and dedication are qualities that would be valued in any team.
She said, “I want to have discussions with her and with the team as well. Obviously, that’s really important and I think that’s the most important thing for us right now. Until I’ve had those conversations, I probably prefer not to make any more comments,” and Matthews further added, “But look, she’s someone who’s always going to be able to be there to give a hundred percent on the field no matter what and I think that’s something that would definitely be wanted in any team.”
(Quotes sourced from ESPN)