Haley Matthews magic fires West Indies past Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup

After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka never got out of second gear in setting a target as West Indies captain Hayley Matthews spearheaded their attack to bowl them out for just 98.

Matthews arguably won the match for the West Indies inside the first Power Play. The spinner snatched three wickets in her first 12 balls, reducing Sri Lanka to 9/3 in the third.

Batters Imesha Dulani and Kavisha Dilhari finally got things going, but Chinelle Henry got ion on the act, drawing a mis-hit from Dulani to close out the Power Play.

Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva finally knuckled down and put together a 34-run partnership to avoid disaster. However, a neat caught and bowled by Aailyah Allene broke the partnership, and Kashini Nuthyangana fell for a duck just two balls later.

Silva struck three boundaries in her top score of 30 before departing at 87/8.

In the chase, West Indies wobbled, but they were too far ahead of the match to fail. Opening bat Matthews got 17 before a sharp direct hit from Silva ran her out.

West Indies slipped from 36/2 to 70/5 and Sri Lanka found themselves in with a sniff. Stefanie Taylor steadied the ship to guide them home, finishing unbeaten on 27. The result brings the West Indies joint-top of Group 2 with England.

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