The West Indies have clinched their T20 International series against Australia, racing to an unassailable 3-0 lead with a dominant six-wicket win in St Lucia on Monday.
Chris Gayle produced his best knock since his return to the international side, with 67 from 38 balls as the West Indies cruised in the chase, winning with 31 balls to spare.
Stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran (32* from 27 balls) finished the job with back-to-back boundaries off Riley Meredith (48-3) to seal the series victory with two games to play.
"From a personal point of view, you all knew I was struggling with the bat, but to be get some runs today it's very pleasing," Gayle said. "I want to dedicate these runs to my teammates, especially Kieron Pollard. He gave me the pep talk I needed."
T. JOHN'S, Antigua- A batting masterclass from Hayley Matthews (100 not out), took the West Indies Women to an 8-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the CG Insurance 3rd ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, sealing a series win for the home team with two matches to go.
Matthews also played a vital role with the ball as she bowled 2 maidens and took 2 wickets from her 10 overs. Speaking to CWI Media after the match, Matthews said "I've been working really hard over the past couple of months to improve on my batting and on my consistency and it's really good to see it finally paying off. I don't think nervous (knowing she can get a century) necessarily but probably when I got into the nineties and realized I was about 10 runs to win the game and 5 runs for me to get my hundred and then the rain started setting up, I felt a bit anxious about actually getting the runs but I never doubted I was going to get my hundred.."
With a 3-0 lead, the team is looking ahead for a clean sweep of the CG Insurance ODI Series as they did in the CG Insurance T20 Series, winning 3-0
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Cricket West Indies Women’s Selection Panel today named a 14-member West Indies Women squad for the remaining three matches of the five-match CG Insurance One Day International (ODI) Series against Pakistan at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua.
The Selection panel also named a 12-member West Indies Women “A” Team to play Pakistan Women “A” Team in the second and third matches of the 50-overs “A” Team series on July 13 and 16 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua. First ball in all matches is 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time).
In the senior squad, Rashada Williams and Shabika Gajnabi have been named to replace Caneisha Isaac and Aaliyah Alleyne, who are both injured.
Former West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray believes the Australia series could be make or break for veteran batsman Chris Gayle, insisting he would give him just another two games to turn things around if he were on the panel of selectors.
The batsman's selection to the preliminary World Cup squad has proven to be a source of controversy with opinion sharply split into two camps. On one hand, many believe the batsman's ability to change a game within a few deliveries continues to make him an indispensable asset heading into the tournament, others point to his decline in explosiveness and fitness as evidence that the spot should be taken up a younger player.
“I think initially the selectors did a good job of picking this T20 squad. You have to give Chris Gayle the chance to show he has some kind of form, but if he is getting the opportunity and not firing, I would not pick him,” Gray told the Mason and Guest radio show.
GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia – The Cricket West Indies Selection Panel has announced the 14-member squad for the first of the five-match CG Insurance T20 International (T20I) Series against Australia. The match will be played under lights at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium on Friday, July 9 with the first ball at 7:30pm (6:30pm Jamaica Time).
Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr has been named in the match-day squad while all-rounder Fabian Allen returns from the injury sustained in the recent series against South Africa. All-rounder Jason Holder is being rested for this series as part of his workload management, and he is expected to feature in upcoming One-Day Internationals and Test matches.
Roger Harper, Lead Selector said: “Hayden Walsh Jr adds variety and another wicket-taking option, while Fabian Allen, who was unavailable for the last game because of injury, returns. Considering the opposition, it is important that the team plays well in all departments, especially the batting, which needs to deliver more consistently.”
