The opening match of the women’s Tri-Nation T20I Series kicked off at Dublin’s Clontarf Cricket Club on Thursday, May 28, with a dominant eight-wicket victory for the West Indies over host nation Ireland, powered by standout bowling performances from two Saint Lucian spinners. The cross-continental tournament, which also features Pakistan as a competing side, set a thrilling tone for the series with this opening clash.
After West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the pre-match coin toss, the Barbadian leader opted to put Ireland into bat first – a call that would pay immediate dividends for her side. Twenty-one-year-old left-arm spinner Zaida James got the West Indies off to a blistering start, removing both of Ireland’s opening batters within the first four overs. By the fifth over, Jahzara Claxton chipped in to claim another wicket, leaving the Irish reeling at 3 wickets down for just 23 runs on the board.
Ireland’s batting lineup fought hard to rebuild the innings, climbing to 100 for 7 by the conclusion of the 16th over. But 25-year-old left-arm spinner Qiana Joseph, the second of the West Indies’ Saint Lucian star bowlers, broke the host’s momentum. Joseph lured Ireland’s key batter Alice Tector out of her crease, resulting in a stumping that shifted the game firmly in the West Indies’ favor. The spinner went on to claim the final three wickets of the Irish innings, finishing her two-over spell with an outstanding figures of 3 wickets for just 8 runs. James rounded out her own strong performance with 2 wickets for 10 runs across her two overs.
The Irish side was bowled out for 103 runs with a full 18 overs’ worth of deliveries still remaining, leaving the West Indies with a modest target to chase. It did not take the Caribbean side long to secure the win, with captain Matthews leading the charge from the opening of the innings. Matthews and star all-rounder Deandra Dottin put together an opening 23-run partnership before Dottin fell for 8 runs, and Joseph was soon dismissed for 6 runs shortly after. That brought an end to any minor early wobbles, as Matthews put on an unmatched batting masterclass. The 28-year-old scored her 20th career T20I half-century, finishing undefeated on 82 runs from just 44 deliveries – a knock that included 11 boundaries and three sixes. By the 11.3 over, the West Indies had crossed the finish line, wrapping up a commanding opening win to kick off their Tri-Nation Series campaign.