Cricket is often hailed as a team sport that occasionally rewards individual brilliance. But sometimes, even the most heroic all-round performances are not enough to secure victory. In the history of women’s One Day Internationals — spanning over 1,440 matches across 52 years — not once had a player scored a century and taken three or more wickets in the same match and still ended up on the losing side.
That changed dramatically in April 2025 during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Lahore. In a surreal twist, this extraordinary feat occurred twice in the space of 10 days — first by West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, and then by Scotland’s skipper Kathryn Bryce.
Hayley Matthews vs Scotland: A Heroic Effort Amid Despair
In the second match of the tournament, Hayley Matthews produced one of the finest all-round performances in ODI history — yet her team still lost.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first against a resurgent Scotland, Matthews led from the front with the ball. She dismissed top-order batters, including the dangerous Sarah Bryce (55), to finish with superb figures of 10-0-56-4. Her efforts, along with support from Karishma Ramharack (2/46) and Aaliyah Alleyne (2/31), helped restrict Scotland to 244 all out despite a strong middle-order push led by Megan McColl (45) and handy cameos from Fraser and Chatterji.
Chasing 245, the West Indies stumbled early with the loss of Qiana Joseph. Matthews then stitched together a resilient 113-run second-wicket partnership with Zaida James (45 off 89). But as wickets began to fall around her, Matthews soldiered on under sweltering heat.
Visibly struggling with fatigue, she had to retire hurt, only to return later when her team needed her the most. Battling exhaustion, she powered her way to 114 not out off 113 balls, her ninth ODI century — striking 15 boundaries in a display of sheer grit and elegance.
Despite her monumental effort, she was left stranded at the non-striker’s end as Aaliyah Alleyne was trapped LBW with 22 balls to spare. West Indies fell short by 11 runs, but Matthews was rightly adjudged Player of the Match for her historic all-round display — 114* and 4/56, a rare double in the game.
Kathryn Bryce vs Ireland: A Masterclass in Vain
In match 13 of the same tournament, it was Kathryn Bryce’s turn to deliver an unforgettable performance — only to suffer the same cruel fate.
Coming in after the loss of a wicket in the first over, Bryce built a masterful innings under pressure. She scored 131 not out off 137 balls, constructing the innings with tactical clarity and composure. She anchored crucial partnerships: 62 runs with Ailsa Lister, 65 with Katherine Fraser, and 51 with Priyanaz Chatterji. Her knock, which included a late-innings flurry of runs with Rachel Slater, powered Scotland to a record 268 — their highest-ever total in women’s ODIs.
With the ball, Bryce delivered another blow — 10-2-29-3 — dismissing key Irish batters including the dangerous Orla Prendergast and middle-order threat Sophie MacMahon. Her economical and incisive bowling almost sealed the game for Scotland.
Yet, in an edge-of-the-seat finish, Ireland edged over the line by 1 wicket on the final ball of the match.
Bryce finished with a scarcely believable match performance: 131* and 3/49 — but was not named Player of the Match, a decision that raised eyebrows across the cricketing community given her match-defining role in both innings.
These two all-round displays highlight the rising depth and drama in women’s cricket. That such monumental efforts can still end in defeat reflects not failure, but the increased competitiveness, balance, and intensity of the modern women’s game.
Both Hayley Matthews and Kathryn Bryce have etched their names into the record books — not just for their brilliance, but for showing that in cricket, sometimes even perfection can’t guarantee victory.
(Stats credit: Hypocaust)
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