Everything will be on the line when the West Indies Women square off against South Africa Women in the final and deciding game of their three-match T20 International series on Monday. The much-anticipated clash is set to bowl off at 1:00 p.m. Jamaica time at the Three W’s Oval in Barbados.
With the series locked at 1-1, both teams are bracing for a winner-takes-all showdown. After dropping the first game on Friday, the home side came storming back in Game 2, delivering a solid performance to level the series and swing momentum in their favour.
Inserted to bat first in the second match, South Africa struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 113 for 6. Nadine de Klerk led the scoring with a composed 20, while captain Laura Wolvaardt (16) and Tazmin Brits (14) added 30 for the opening wicket. However, West Indies’ bowlers tightened the screws early and often.
Veteran spinner Afy Fletcher starred with figures of 2 for 13, while Karishma Ramharack chipped in with 2 for 25. Teen pacer Jahzara Claxton also impressed, taking 1 for 27 in her tidy spell.
In response, it was captain Hayley Matthews who stole the spotlight with a brilliant all-round display. After taking 1 for 15 with the ball, the Barbadian all-rounder anchored the chase with an unbeaten 63 off 56 balls, laced with nine fours and a six. Her knock was the backbone of the Windies’ successful run chase, guiding them to 116 for 4 in 19.2 overs.
Matthews found early support from Qiana Joseph, who scored 17 in their opening stand of 41, and Jannillea Glasgow, who held her nerve at the end with an unbeaten 15, including the match-winning boundary.
South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of their bowlers, finishing with 2 for 17, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Windies from squaring the series.
Final Scores:
South Africa Women – 113 for 6
West Indies Women – 116 for 4 (19.2 overs)
