Hayley Matthews produced a record-breaking 182 as West Indies Women opened their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe Women with a convincing 99-run victory in Harare on Thursday.
Matthews’ superb 156-ball innings carried West Indies to 299, their second-highest total in women’s ODIs. The bowlers then completed the job by dismissing Zimbabwe for 199, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the series.
Matthews and Grimmond Build Strong Opening Stand
West Indies laid the foundation through a 128-run partnership between Matthews and fellow opener Realeanna Grimmond.
Grimmond played the more measured role, striking seven fours and one six on her way to a third ODI half-century in only her ninth match. She was eventually dismissed for 53 off 70 balls in the 24th over, caught behind off Beloved Biza.
After Grimmond’s departure, Matthews completely took charge of the innings.
Of the 171 runs West Indies added from that point, Matthews contributed 120 herself.
Matthews Rewrites West Indies Record Books
Matthews reached her century from 108 deliveries before accelerating sharply.
Her next 50 runs came from only 32 balls, and she then added her final 32 at a strike rate of 200 before Tendai Makusha bowled her with the first delivery of the final over.
The 182 became the highest individual score by a West Indies batter in women’s ODI cricket, surpassing Stafanie Taylor’s 171 against Sri Lanka in 2013.
Highest Individual Scores by West Indies Batters in WODIs
| Score | Player | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 182 | Hayley Matthews | Zimbabwe | 2026 |
| 171 | Stafanie Taylor | Sri Lanka | 2013 |
| 159* | Hayley Matthews | Ireland | 2026 |
Matthews’ knock also moved her to sixth on the all-time list for the highest individual scores in women’s ODIs.
Highest Individual Scores in WODIs
| Score | Player | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 232* | Amelia Kerr | Ireland | 2018 |
| 229* | Belinda Clark | Denmark | 1997 |
| 195* | Chamari Athapaththu | South Africa | 2024 |
| 188 | Deepti Sharma | Ireland | 2017 |
| 184* | Laura Wolvaardt | Sri Lanka | 2024 |
| 182 | Hayley Matthews | Zimbabwe | 2026 |
Mupachikwa Leads Zimbabwe’s Resistance
Francisca Chipare was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler with two wickets, while Biza and Makusha claimed one each. Zimbabwe managed to keep West Indies below 300, denying them what would have been only their second total of 300 or more in the format.
Zimbabwe began their chase positively, with Sharne Mayers attacking Aaliyah Alleyne for 6, 4 and 4, although two of those boundaries came from thick outside edges.
Mayers was eventually dismissed at deep square leg while attempting to flick Jannillea Glasgow, providing West Indies with their first breakthrough.
Her opening partner Modester Mupachikwa then carried the bulk of Zimbabwe’s resistance as wickets continued to fall around her.
Mupachikwa found some support from Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, with the pair adding 49 runs for the fourth wicket. However, Zimbabwe subsequently lost their final eight wickets for 100 runs.
Mupachikwa was the last batter dismissed, bowled by Alleyne for a determined 86 from 106 balls.
Alleyne finished with three wickets, while Glasgow, Ashmini Munisar and Afy Fletcher picked up two apiece as West Indies completed a comfortable 99-run victory.
The second WODI will be played at the same venue on September 27.
