The West Indies’ campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025 ended in heartbreak, as the team narrowly missed out on qualification despite being pre-tournament favorites. Captain Hayley Matthews, who was at the peak of her game throughout the tournament, reflected on the agonizing defeat in the do-or-die final match, where West Indies’ record-breaking chase wasn’t enough to secure the spot. Despite the crushing disappointment, Matthews highlighted the positives and shared her thoughts on the campaign’s ups and downs.
To seal qualification, West Indies needed to win their final match against Thailand while surpassing Bangladesh’s Net Run Rate. The team achieved an impressive victory, chasing down 167 in 11 overs. Hayley Matthews led the charge with a blistering 70 off just 29 balls, while Qiana Joseph contributed 26 off 12 and Chinelle Henry hammered 48 off 17. However, despite the emphatic win, their Net Run Rate fell just short of Bangladesh’s, denying them qualification for the World Cup by the narrowest of margins.
“We knew the scenarios were always going to be tough today, especially batting second, but the team was up for the fight. It really showed a lot of courage, bravery, and that never-say-die attitude within the group,” Matthews said. She emphasized that while the outcome was painful, the team’s performance reflected their potential and fighting spirit, qualities they could build on moving forward with greater consistency.
The West Indies’ campaign in the tournament got off to a disappointing start, losing their opening match against Scotland by 11 runs in a thrilling encounter. Despite Hayley Matthews’ all-round brilliance, scoring 114 not out and taking 4/56 while battling cramps, the team couldn’t secure the win.
However, they bounced back strongly in their second match, edging out Ireland by 6 runs in another close contest. Matthews once again stood out, claiming four wickets and contributing crucial runs. A subsequent loss to Pakistan put added pressure on the side, but they responded with a convincing three-wicket win over Bangladesh, showcasing a balanced team effort.
“We feel like we definitely let ourselves down, probably earlier on in the tournament, and yeah, I guess we’re just paying the price for that now,” the 27-year-old said, reflecting on the tournament as a whole. Still, she praised her squad for the fight shown in the final two matches, especially their spirited win over Bangladesh.
West Indies entered the tournament as one of the favorites to qualify, ranked sixth in the ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings. With several veterans nearing the twilight of their careers, the outcome felt especially heavy. Matthews acknowledged that the team had carried high hopes, not just from fans, but within the group itself. The 50-over World Cup, she explained, remains the most coveted stage in the sport, making their failure to qualify all the more disheartening.
Looking ahead, Matthews reflected on the uncertainty of the team’s future. “Now with so many senior players like Stafanie Taylor, Shemaine Campbelle, and Afy Fletcher – who’ve given so many years to West Indies cricket – it’s hard. The next 50-over World Cup isn’t until 2029, and we don’t know what things will look like by then. So yeah, we’re all really heartbroken and disappointed,” the West-Indian skipper added.
Despite the heartbreaking end to their campaign, Matthews remained optimistic about the future of West Indies women’s cricket, particularly the emergence of young talents who rose to the occasion.
“We have so many girls showing a lot of promise. Aaliyah Alleyne, with her spell in the last match and this match, has put us in some really good positions. Then Chinelle Henry with the bat has been a whirlwind over the past few months. It’s really good to see players like that progressing, and yeah, it’s only up from here for them,” Matthews expressed.
Chinelle Henry, ended the tournament as the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 171 runs in five matches, playing a crucial role with the bat throughout. Meanwhile, Aaliyah Alleyne proved her worth with the ball, finishing just behind Matthews as the second-highest wicket-taker for the team.
Despite falling short of qualification, the West Indies team, led by Hayley Matthews, walked away with their heads held high proving that resilience, talent, and belief still run deep within the side. Their journey may have ended in heartbreak, but it also sparked hope for a brighter, more consistent future.
(Quotes sourced from ICC)
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