Australia completed a 2-0 series triumph over West Indies in Kingstown, overcoming a spirited half-century from Hayley Matthews thanks to decisive performances from Alana King and Kim Garth.
Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry laid the foundation with crucial contributions before disciplined spells from the bowlers ensured Australia defended their total successfully.
Australia 164 for 5 (Perry 42, Voll 39) beat West Indies 147 for 4 (Matthews 56, Dottin 39, King 2-25) by 17 runs*
Voll’s rapid 39 from 23 deliveries and Perry’s composed 42 off 28 anchored Australia’s innings as they posted 164 for 5, matching the score from the opening match but reaching it in contrasting fashion. Voll dominated the powerplay, striking six boundaries and a six, before West Indies clawed back momentum during the latter half of the innings. Phoebe Litchfield added 35 from 29 balls, while the hosts shared the wickets evenly. Chinelle Henry was forced off the field with a left-hand injury sustained during her follow-through while attempting to stop a powerful drive.
Garth’s new-ball spell, which included a maiden over, set the tone for the defence. Matthews initially struggled, managing just 1 from her first 12 balls before launching a counterattack. Her 56 from 41 deliveries revived West Indies’ hopes, leaving them needing 75 from the final 48 balls with nine wickets still intact. King, however, swung the contest back Australia’s way by dismissing both Matthews and Stafanie Taylor to finish with figures of 2 for 25, earning the player-of-the-match award.
Garth’s tidy return of 0 for 20 from four overs was equally influential, although she was denied further success when a late chance was missed. Deandra Dottin capitalised to remain unbeaten on 39 from 28 balls, reducing the margin of defeat to 17 runs after it had appeared likely to be wider.
The victory handed Sophie Molineux her first series win as captain, despite the allrounder not batting or bowling in either match due to a back injury carried into the tour. Australia were also without Ashleigh Gardner, who was ruled out before the game with hamstring tightness.
Voll sets the tone early
Voll made an immediate impact at the top of the order. Two forceful pulls and a pair of crisp drives inside the opening overs helped Australia accelerate, while another firm drive resulted in Henry injuring her left hand. The spinner completed only two overs before leaving the field and later did not bat.
Voll continued her aggressive approach, slog-sweeping Karishma Ramharack for six before striking straight down the ground. Her innings ended attempting another big shot off the final ball of the powerplay, mistiming Ramharack to mid-on. Australia finished the first six overs on 54 for 1, even as Beth Mooney once again scored at below a run-a-ball during the powerplay for the fifth consecutive T20I this year.
West Indies respond with the ball
Following Voll’s departure, Australia’s scoring rate slowed. Mooney fell to an impressive delivery from Afy Fletcher, who claimed her 100th T20I wicket with a well-flighted leg break that beat the batter’s attempted swing.
Litchfield and Perry then combined for a 58-run partnership, though the stand lacked fluency. Litchfield struggled to find consistent timing, while Perry carried the bulk of the scoring, striking the boundary six times, including two elegant drives through the cover region. She was dropped on 21 by Jannillea Glasgow at mid-off.
Australia managed only 39 runs from the final five overs as both Litchfield and Perry were dismissed attempting to accelerate. Nicola Carey struck two late boundaries, but Jahzara Claxton and Dottin finished strongly with the ball.
Matthews leads late charge
West Indies endured a slow start compared to Australia’s powerplay, reaching just 26 for 1. Garth was outstanding with the new ball, delivering a maiden to Matthews and conceding only three runs in another tight over. A run-out then compounded the pressure as Qiana Joseph was dismissed attempting a routine single.
Matthews’ cautious beginning drew attention, as she managed only one run from her first 12 deliveries before launching into a counterattack with a slog-swept six off King. After the fielding restrictions ended, she increased the tempo, benefiting from a dropped catch on the boundary by Carey that resulted in another maximum. Matthews struck seven fours and two sixes to bring up her fifty from 38 balls, reducing the target equation significantly.
King delivers decisive blows
Despite being taken for 19 runs across her opening two overs, King responded strongly in the 13th over by inducing Matthews to miscue to mid-off. She finished with 2 for 7 from her final two overs, further denting West Indies’ chase. Stafanie Taylor was then beaten by a sharply turning leg break and stumped comfortably.
Georgia Wareham added to the pressure by dismissing Shemaine Campbelle, before Garth returned at the death. She nearly claimed Dottin with a slower ball that was lofted high, but Mooney misjudged the chance in challenging conditions. Dottin remained unbeaten but was unable to clear the boundary sufficiently in the final over as Australia secured a 17-run victory and the series.
