Hayley Matthews and Realeanna Grimmond produced a record-breaking opening stand as West Indies stormed to a nine-wicket win over Ireland in Bready.
Chasing 270, West Indies reached the target with ease thanks to a massive 258-run partnership between Matthews and Grimmond.
It was West Indies’ highest partnership for any wicket in women’s ODIs and also powered them to their highest successful ODI run chase.
Matthews enjoyed a dream all-round performance, taking 3 for 52 before scoring an unbeaten 159. Grimmond made 91, the second ODI half-century of her career, while Afy Fletcher’s 4 for 49 played a key role in restricting Ireland to 269.
Matthews And Grimmond Dominate Chase
West Indies began their chase with clear attacking intent. Matthews and Grimmond struck six fours across the fourth and fifth overs, immediately putting Ireland under pressure. By the end of the opening powerplay, West Indies had reached 72 without loss, with the pair hitting 13 boundaries between them.
Matthews was dropped by Jane Maguire on 52 in the 12th over, a moment that proved extremely costly for Ireland.
West Indies reached 100 in just 14 overs as boundaries and extras continued to pile up.
After a short quiet period, Matthews took charge again, hitting Cara Murray for four boundaries across the 18th and 20th overs.
Ireland tried different bowling options, but nothing disrupted the partnership as West Indies brought up 150 in the 23rd over.
Matthews Completes Brilliant Century
Matthews reached her century from 90 balls in the 28th over. After that, she shifted gears and began clearing the rope as West Indies moved past 200 in the 30th over.
Grimmond also continued to find boundaries and looked set for a century of her own.
She was dropped on 84 but eventually fell for 91 with West Indies needing only 12 runs to win.
That dismissal was the only setback in an otherwise dominant chase.
Matthews remained unbeaten on 159, completing one of the finest innings of her ODI career and sealing a commanding win for West Indies.
Ireland Build Strong Total
Ireland’s batting effort was also impressive for large parts of the innings. They produced five partnerships of 30 or more and controlled the game for more than two-thirds of their innings.
Gaby Lewis gave the hosts a positive start, striking three boundaries during two double-digit overs in the first powerplay.
She was the aggressor in a 38-run opening stand with Sarah Forbes, who was later run out.
Lewis then added 39 more with Amy Hunter before falling to Matthews.
Hunter and Orla Prendergast built the biggest stand of Ireland’s innings, adding 69 runs.
Hunter reached her half-century from 58 balls in the 26th over, while Prendergast contributed 30 before being bowled by Fletcher.
Fletcher And Matthews Stop Ireland’s Momentum
Ireland looked well placed as Hunter continued to score freely. Their run rate climbed to 5.71 after 38 overs, with Hunter making 25 from 18 balls during a 50-run partnership with Rebecca Stokell.
However, the innings lost direction when Ireland lost four wickets between overs 34 and 40.
Fletcher and Matthews took two wickets each during that period, halting the hosts’ momentum.
The most important breakthrough was Hunter’s dismissal shortly after she had been dropped on 90 by Jannillea Glasgow. Hunter fell for 96, missing out on a century, and Ireland were eventually bowled out for 269.
West Indies Complete Historic Win
Ireland’s total looked competitive, but Matthews and Grimmond made the chase look simple.
Their 258-run opening partnership broke West Indies’ ODI record for any wicket and gave the visitors complete control.
Matthews’ all-round brilliance and Grimmond’s composed 91 ensured West Indies completed a memorable nine-wicket victory.
For Ireland, Hunter’s 96 and several strong partnerships were positives, but their missed chances and inability to break the opening stand proved decisive.
