NEW DELHI: West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has secured her second ICC Women's Player of the Month award, following her stellar performances in the T20I series against defending world champions Australia. Matthews outshone competitors Nahida Akter from Bangladesh and New Zealand's Amelia Kerr to claim the prestigious award for October 2023.
Matthews, the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings, played a pivotal role in her team's series against Australia. Despite losing the first match in North Sydney, Matthews displayed remarkable power-hitting and crucial wickets. In that match, she scored an unbeaten 99 at the top of the order and also took the important wicket of Alyssa Healy during Australia's comeback.
In the subsequent match, Matthews delivered an outstanding performance by scoring an unbeaten 132 off 64 balls, securing a memorable victory for West Indies. Her exceptional batting display included 20 fours and five sixes. Additionally, Matthews took the wickets of Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Annabel Sutherland during Australia's innings.
Throughout the T20I series, the 25-year-old captain showcased consistent excellence with scores of 99*, 132, and 79, earning her the Player of the Series title.
Expressing her gratitude upon receiving the ICC Women's Player of the Month award, Matthews stated, "I'm very grateful to have received the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for October. I love pulling on the West Indies jersey. Every time I wear that maroon and gold, it definitely adds an extra layer where you can go out there and perform well, not only for yourself and for the team but in knowing how much cricket means to the people of the Caribbean and how much it can bring people together."
Matthews emphasised the special significance of her performances in Australia, acknowledging the impact it had on people back home in the Caribbean. Her commitment to representing West Indies and bringing joy to cricket enthusiasts was evident in her outstanding contributions throughout the month.
(With inputs from ANI)
