In the opening match of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, West Indies defeated hosts New Zealand in a thrilling contest at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

After being put to bat first, the Caribbean side posted a competitive 259/9 on the board in their allotted 50 overs. Opener Hayley Matthews shined with the bat and smashed her maiden World Cup century to put Windies in control.

Matthews scored 119 off 128 balls with the help of 17 boundaries, including a six. Although, other batters failed to contribute big enough as the second-highest scorer for West Indies in the match was Chedean Nation with 36 from 46 deliveries.

For New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu rocked the charts with her brilliant bowling display. She picked up three wickets for 57 runs in nine overs. Jess Kerr also bagged a couple of scalps while conceding 43 runs in her quota of 10 overs.

In the chase, the White Ferns fell only three runs short as the game went down to the wire. Captain Sophie Devine led from the front, hitting a tremendous hundred. She scored 108 off 127 balls with the help of 10 boundaries.

Amy Satterthwaite (31) and Katey Martin (44) chipped in with some valuable contributions, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts lost the contest by three runs. Veteran Anisa Mohammed picked up a couple of wickets for 60 runs in 10 overs.

Anisa also accomplished a personal milestone as she became the first spinner to get 300 international wickets in women’s cricket. Apart from Anisa, Deandra Dottin (2/2) and Matthews (2/41) picked up two wickets apiece.

“Full credit to the West Indies. The way Hayley Matthews played was brilliant. We have to take the positives out of it and move on quickly. We’ve got to enjoy it,” said New Zealand skipper Sophie after the game.

Here is how Twitter reacted:


#Womens #World #Cup #Hayley #Matthews #shine #West #Indies #pip #Zealand #thriller #Twitter #reactions


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