The third ODI between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women at Grenada National Cricket Stadium ended with a thrilling chase, highlighted by captain Hayley Matthews’ maiden ODI hundred. Her innings not only stopped a clean sweep but also shifted momentum heading into the final T20 leg of the tour.

West Indies arrived in Grenada having lost the first two games, a situation that could have dented confidence. Instead, the team treated the third match as a chance to prove depth. Sri Lanka, already series victors, knew a win would seal a 3‑0 result, so they approached the game with the same intensity that earned them the series.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat on a surface that offered a little seam early on before settling into a slower, turn‑friendly track. Opening bowler Chamari Athapaththu fell for a two‑ball duck, a blow that forced the hosts to rebuild from 13/1. Hasini Perera steadied things with a quick 27, but the real engine was Harshitha Samarawickrama, who posted a patient 70 off 112 balls, anchoring the innings with seven boundaries. Kavisha Dilhari added a useful 45, keeping the run rate in check as the middle overs progressed. Late runs from Dewmi Vihanga and Sugandika Kumari pushed the total to 217/7, a score that reflected both the pitch’s early assistance and Sri Lanka’s ability to rotate the strike.

West Indies’ bowlers responded with a disciplined spell. Captain Hayley Matthews opened the attack, delivering ten economical overs and picking up two crucial wickets for 33 runs. Karishma Ramharack mirrored her effort, also taking two wickets. Afy Fletcher and newcomer Ashmini Munisar chipped in with a wicket each, preventing the Sri Lankan batters from accelerating after the 30‑over mark. The decision to keep the front three overs relatively tight paid off, as it forced Sri Lanka into a chase that required steady accumulation rather than big hitting.

When the chase began, West Indies slipped to 2/15 after early dismissals of Qiana Joseph and Shemaine Campbelle. It was at this moment that Matthews shifted from bowler to bat, taking the helm. Her hundred came off 119 balls, blending patience with bursts of aggression – 13 fours and a six highlighted her intent to keep the required run rate under control. The partnership with veteran Stafanie Taylor, who contributed a calm 38 off 70 balls, anchored the innings. Taylor’s experience at the crease allowed Matthews to play her strokes without fear, rotating the strike and pulling singles into boundaries when the opportunity arose.

Middle‑order contributions added depth. Chinelle Henry’s 32 off 48 balls kept the momentum alive, while Deandra Dottin’s quick 24 off 29 balls, capped by a towering six, pushed the run rate above 5.5 in the final overs. West Indies reached the target in 46 overs, finishing at 218/4 with four overs to spare. The chase demonstrated a clear tactical plan: absorb early pressure, build a solid partnership, then accelerate in the middle‑overs phase.

The Stats Behind the Strategy

Grenada’s pitch tends to reward bowlers with movement in the first 10 overs before easing into a slower, spin‑friendly surface. West Indies exploited the early swing with Matthews and Ramharack, while Sri Lanka’s middle order used the later spin to grind out runs. Matthews’ century came after the pitch settled, allowing her to pace her innings and pick the ball’s timing.

Looking ahead, the series now moves into a three‑match T20I block. West Indies will likely retain the same top order, with Matthews opening or coming in at number three to maximize her dual role as captain and run‑maker. Sri Lanka, despite winning the ODI series, must tighten their death‑over bowling, as the recent match showed West Indies’ ability to finish strongly in the final overs.

From a fan’s perspective, the match delivered everything a neutral viewer craves – a low‑scoring start, a heroic rescue, and a finish that left the crowd cheering. West Indian supporters praised Matthews’ all‑round display, while Sri Lankan fans appreciated Samarawickrama’s gritty 70, which kept the contest alive. Social media buzz highlighted the shift in confidence for the West Indies side; many now view the upcoming T20s as a realistic chance to level the series.

Matthews’ hundred was more than a personal milestone; it was a statement that West Indies can adapt, recover, and press forward. The next few weeks will reveal whether that confidence translates into a series‑tying T20 win or whether Sri Lanka can extend their dominance into the shorter format.