LAUNCESTON, Tasmania, , CMC – Teenaged batting star Hayley Matthews was among the runs in a losing cause here yesterday as her West Indies Women’s skipper, Stafanie Taylor, snatched a four-wicket haul to fire Sydney Thunder to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes.
The 19-year-old Matthews top-scored with a responsible 39 from 40 deliveries as the hosts, opting to bat first at the North Tasmania Cricket Association Ground, finished on 112 for eight off their 20 overs.
Matthews, who managed paltry scores of five, 11 and four in her last three innings, counted three fours as she held the innings together nicely.
She put on 35 for the third wicket with Georgia Redmayne (13) after Hobart slipped to 11 for two in the fourth, and then added a further 31 for the fourth wicket with Veronica Pyke who made 14, before Taylor broke both stands.
Once Matthews was bowled by her Windies teammate, Taylor, in the 15th over, the innings wandered as it failed to get the impetus it required.
Taylor was the best Thunder bowler with four for 15 from four superb overs of off-spin.
In reply, Sydney overhauled their target in the 17th over with Rachael Haynes stroking 64 off 49 balls with nine boundaries.
She dominated a 56-run, opening stand with New Zealander Rachel Priest who made 13 before adding a further 38 for the second wicket with Alex Blackwell who made 13.
Taylor helped see Thunder over the line with an unbeaten 10.
Taylor and Matthews are two of three West Indies players campaigning in the Women’s Big Bash with Deandra Dottin turning out for Adelaide Strikers.