By Dwayne Ferreira.
Hayley Matthews took 3 for 15 as West Indies dismissed Sri Lanka for 98 and completed a five-wicket Women’s T20 World Cup victory in Bristol.
Hayley Matthews produced a decisive new-ball spell before Stafanie Taylor guided West Indies through an uncertain chase to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match at Bristol. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 98 in 19.4 overs, with West Indies reaching 99 for five from 16.1 overs to record their third straight Group B victory.
Matthews won the toss and elected to bowl, then immediately justified the decision by dismantling Sri Lanka’s top order. She caught Vishmi Gunaratne from her own bowling in the first over and returned in her second to bowl captain Chamari Athapaththu for two. Harshitha Samarawickrama followed for a duck three balls later, leaving Sri Lanka nine for three.
Chinelle Henry removed Imesha Dulani for 17 before the powerplay ended, reducing Sri Lanka to 23 for four. Matthews had taken three wickets in her first two overs and effectively removed the three batters Sri Lanka would normally expect to shape the innings. Her accuracy allowed West Indies to maintain attacking fields while the remaining batters attempted to rebuild.
Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva provided the only substantial recovery. Their 34-run fifth-wicket stand lifted Sri Lanka to 57 before Aaliyah Alleyne dismissed Dilhari for 21. Silva continued to 30 from 26 deliveries, striking three boundaries, but Afy Fletcher removed her with the total on 81.
Karishma Ramharack then worked through the lower order, removing Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi to finish with two for 15. Matthews returned figures of three for 15, while every West Indies bowler used took at least one wicket. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98, with Kavindi’s 17 the only notable contribution after Silva and Dilhari.
West Indies began their chase carefully through Matthews and Deandra Dottin, adding 28 for the opening wicket. Matthews made 17 before being run out by Silva, while Dottin scored 12 and fell to Nimasha Meepage from the final ball of the powerplay. At 36 for two, the target remained small, but Sri Lanka had created enough pressure to keep the contest alive.
Shemaine Campbelle struggled for four from 12 deliveries before Athapaththu removed her, and a sharp catch by Gunaratne ended Jahzara Claxton’s innings for six. Dilhari then bowled Henry for a first-ball duck, leaving West Indies 70 for five in the 12th over. Sri Lanka’s bowlers had forced the required total to feel considerably less straightforward than 99.
Taylor supplied the composure West Indies needed. The former captain remained unbeaten on 27 from 25 deliveries, striking a four and a six, while Jannillea Glasgow contributed 10 not out. Their unbroken 29-run partnership completed the chase with 23 balls remaining. Sri Lanka’s 23 extras, including 13 wides, also reduced the pressure on the batting pair.
Matthews was named Player of the Match for her three wickets and useful opening contribution. The victory kept West Indies second in Group B behind England on net run rate and placed them in a strong position before the two unbeaten teams met at Lord’s. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were left with one win from three matches and little room for another setback in their remaining fixtures.
MATCH SUMMARY
SRI LANKA WOMEN – 98 all out, 19.4 overs
Nilakshika Silva 30, Kavisha Dilhari 21, Imesha Dulani 17
Hayley Matthews 3/15, Karishma Ramharack 2/15, Chinelle Henry 1/12
WEST INDIES WOMEN – 99/5, 16.1 overs
Stafanie Taylor 27 not out, Hayley Matthews 17, Deandra Dottin 12
Kavisha Dilhari 2/22, Chamari Athapaththu 1/13, Nimasha Meepage 1/18
Result: West Indies Women won by five wickets with 23 balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews.
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