West Indies Women have received a setback heading into the final game of the three-match One Day International series against Sri Lanka in Hambantota with news that talismanic captain Hayley Mathews has been ruled out due to an illness.

Matthews missed the second ODI on Tuesday where the Windies Women were rolled over for 92 in 31 overs with Sri Lanka chasing down the target in 21.2 overs and winning by five wickets.

Shemaine Campbelle, who led the team during her absence is likely to continue as captain for the final match which will be played in Hambantota on June 21

West Indies Women have already conceded the three-match series by a 2-0 margin, having lost the opening game by six wickets before going down again on Tuesday.

The CWI Medical Team, however, remains hopeful of Matthews recovering in time for the three-match T20 international series also against the Sri Lankans which bowls off on June 24 at the same venue.

Regional governing body Cricket West Indies said in a statement

“West Indies Captain, Hayley Matthews has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI Series against Sri Lanka due to illness,” and “She will continue to be monitored by the CWI Medical Team and will hopefully recover in time for the T20I series. Everyone at CWI wishes her a speedy recovery.”

Matthews has been indispensable for West Indies in the last year and a half. She is comfortably the highest run-scorer for West Indies in ODIs since the start of 2023 with 519 runs in nine games, averaging 74.14, which includes three centuries. With the ball, she has picked 11 wickets during this time frame, the joint-highest with Afy Fletcher.

The three T20Is will be played on June 24, 26 and 28 with all the matches being played in Hambantota.