Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies women’s cricket team, expressed immense pride and joy as her side secured a historic berth in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2024. This marks their first appearance in the tournament’s final four since 2018.
Defeating the unbeaten England team in their final group stage match, the West Indies chased down a target of 142 with six wickets to spare. The victory was particularly significant given their recent struggles in the tournament, having suffered first-round exits in the previous two editions.
Matthews acknowledged the team’s resilience and fighting spirit, which were instrumental in their turnaround. “We’ve been able to go about our cricket, especially after the start we had against South Africa, we’ve just bounced back against Scotland, against Bangladesh,” she said at the post-match press conference.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including limited resources and geographical constraints, the West Indies players have remained dedicated to their craft. Matthews highlighted the sacrifices made by the team members, who often have to be away from home for extended periods.
“There’s so many different islands as well, we have to be away from home, I have to be away from our country,” she said. “I think the sacrifice that the girls have put in is showing now and I guess that’s what makes it or makes me even more proud just seeing the way that they sacrifice but are now reaping the rewards from it as well.”
