Defending champions and tournament host West Indies last night roared into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when they spanked Sri Lanka by 83 runs at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia.
They were led by Player of The Match Hayley Mathews who made a half-century before returning to bag three quick wickets and take a stunning catch to complete an excellent all-round performance.
Electing to bat the Windies piled up a challenging 187 for 5 – their highest total of the tournament to date – with Mathews slamming 62 off just 36 balls.
The 20 year old who smashed 8 fours and 2 sixes also put on 94 for the first wicket with Deandra Dottin who fell one short of of a half century after being dismissed while on 49.
After a blistering 62 (36) which helped the West Indies to their highest ever T20I total, @MyNameIs_Hayley took 3/16 to seal a spot in the #WT20 semi-finals.
One of the most complete T20 performances you could ever hope to see! ? pic.twitter.com/o1JLShmPuz
— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 17, 2018
Captain Stafanie Taylor also got among the runs hitting a quick-fire 41 from 21 deliveries.
The Sri Lankans in their reply were bundled out for 104 with skipper Chamari Atapattu offering most resistance with 44.
Mathews was the pick of the Windies Women bowlers with 3 for 16 in her 3 overs.
The Windies women are now on maximum 6 points from 3 games.
The result also meant that the last two semi-final qualification spots were sealed, with England and West Indies going through from Group A with a game each to spare.