West Indies captain Hayley Matthews etched her name into the history books with a commanding batting display in the opening ODI against Zimbabwe. After opting to bat first upon winning the toss at the Harare Sports Club, the visiting skipper dictated terms from the very start. Her dominant innings produced not just a match-defining century, but also the sixth-highest individual score ever recorded in women's ODI cricket history, narrowly missing out on a historic double century in the format.
A New Landmark in West Indies Cricket
Across a stay that spanned 156 deliveries, Hayley Matthews amassed 182 runs, striking 26 boundaries and two sixes. The massive tally made her the highest individual run-scorer for the West Indies in women's one-day internationals, eclipsing a benchmark that had stood since February 2013. The previous record belonged to Stafanie Taylor, who struck 171 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai thirteen years ago. Matthews broke that long-standing milestone with her clinical and aggressive strokeplay.
All-Time Highest Individual Totals in Women's ODIs
Globally, Matthews now stands sixth on the all-time list of top individual scores in women's ODIs. The record remains with Amelia Kerr of New Zealand, who smashed an unbeaten 232 against Ireland in Dublin in June 2018. Australia's Belinda Clark holds the second position with an unbeaten 229, followed by Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu at 195 not out, India's Deepti Sharma with 188, and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt at 184 not out. Matthews' 182 slots right behind Wolvaardt in this elite compilation.
The foundation of the innings was laid through a strong opening stand between Matthews and Qiana Joseph alias partner Rashada Williams, where Matthews teamed up with Realeanna Grimmond to put on 128 runs for the first wicket. Grimmond matched the positive intent at the other end, crafting a brisk half-century by contributing 50 runs from 59 deliveries before being dismissed.
Mid-Innings Consolidation and Final Total
Even when Grimmond and veteran batter Stafanie Taylor departed in relatively quick succession, the West Indian momentum did not waver. Shemaine Campbelle stepped in to support her captain, and the duo worked methodically to move the total to 179 runs inside 35 overs. During this phase, Matthews brought up her century off 108 balls, having punished the home attack repeatedly with well over a dozen boundaries.
Matthews was eventually dismissed on the first ball of the 50th over, falling to bowler Tendai Makusha after having pushed the team score right to the brink of the 300 mark. Propelled by her marathon 182-run effort, the West Indies finished their allotted 50 overs at 299 for the loss of 6 wickets. Among the host side's bowling attack, Francesca Chipare proved to be the standout performer, taking 2 wickets.
