West Indies women’s team skipper Hayley Matthews has unfortunately been ruled out of her team’s final One-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka on June 21 due to illness.
Matthews, who excelled in the first game of the three-match series with a top score of 38, was absent from the second ODI which led to another loss for the Windies, securing the series victory for the hosts.
In a statement released by Cricket West Indies (CWI) on June 19, it was mentioned that Matthews will be under the close watch of the medical team and the hope is for her swift recovery in time for the upcoming T20I series.
The absence of Matthews was keenly felt in the second ODI where the West Indies struggled with the bat, managing only 92 runs before Sri Lanka cruised to a five-wicket win.
Stand-in captain Shemaine Campbelle will lead the Windies in the final ODI, looking to bounce back before the T20 series against Sri Lanka, unfortunately, without the services of Matthews.
Despite missing out on the final match, Matthews is a key player in the women’s game with an impressive record of 2,434 runs in 84 ODI matches, averaging 31.20. She recently showcased her talent with top scores of 141 and 140 against Pakistan. Matthews currently holds the second spot among allrounders in the ODI format.
Last year, Matthews was honored as the International Cricket Council women’s T20 International Player of the Year, solidifying her status as one of the top players in the game.
