Captain Hayley Matthews produced yet another match-winning performance as West Indies edged South Africa by six wickets in the third and final T20I at the Three Ws Oval, sealing the series 2–1.
Chasing a target of 148, Matthews anchored the West Indies innings with a composed 65 off 50 deliveries, guiding her team to victory with nine balls to spare. Her innings, laced with nine boundaries and a six, laid the foundation for a successful chase after the home side had lost two wickets in the oprning six overs.
Matthews found an able partner in Shemaine Campbelle, whose steady 42 off 38 balls complemented the skipper’s fluent strokeplay. The pair added 82 runs for the third wicket, taking the game away from South Africa. Chinelle Henry finished the match in style with a quickfire 20* as the hosts reached 148/4 in 18.3 overs.
Earlier, South Africa posted 147 for six in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. Miané Smit top-scored with an unbeaten 59, while Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits chipped in with useful starts. However, they were unable to accelerate against a disciplined West Indies bowling unit.
Spinners Karishma Ramharack (2/18) and Afy Fletcher (2/28) applied the brakes effectively during the middle overs, ensuring South Africa never truly gained control of the innings.
Matthews was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having scored 147 runs and contributed with the ball across the three matches. The series win is West Indies Women’s first over South Africa in a T20I series since 2013, underlining the progress made under Matthews’ leadership.
