In a major setback to both the Barbados Royals and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2025, star all-rounder and skipper Hayley Matthews has confirmed she will miss the upcoming 4th edition of the tournament, scheduled from September 6 to 17, 2025. The 27-year-old has opted to bring forward a planned surgery, ruling her out of a competition where she has been a standout performer since its inception.
Matthews, who has been the heartbeat of the Barbados Royals setup, shared her disappointment through a heartfelt message, “Hey everyone, Hayley Matthews here. Super disappointed to have to announce that I’ll be missing out on the WCPL this year. Unfortunately, I’ve had to bring forward a planned surgery, not being able to be at my best for the start of the competition.”
Few players embody the essence of the WCPL as much as Hayley Matthews. Representing the Royals, she holds the distinction of being the competition’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker. Across 13 innings with the bat, she has amassed 424 runs at an average of 38.54 and a strike rate of 113.06. Her tally includes three half-centuries and a top score of 82, a testament to the consistency and power she provides at the top of the order.
Equally impactful with the ball, Matthews leads the charts with 23 wickets, averaging just 12.26 per dismissal at an economy of 5.79. Her bowling spells have proven decisive, with her best returns including a memorable four-wicket haul. This unique dual dominance underscores her irreplaceable value to both her franchise and the tournament at large.
Although missing the competition as a player, Matthews intends to remain connected with the league, particularly in supporting her team during their campaign.
In her statement, she added, “So yeah, just super disappointed to be missing out in that aspect. However, I do have the chance to head on to Guyana, interact with some of the girls, interact with the teams, but also to engage with new fans coming out and supporting the competition. Everyone knows who I’m backing, Barbados Royals to go three from three, but hopefully we’re all able to go out there, support, and watch some good cricket.”
Her presence off the field will offer invaluable motivation to the Royals, who will be gunning for a historic third straight WCPL title after back-to-back triumphs in 2023 and 2024. Under her leadership, the Royals have grown into a dominant unit, blending experience with youthful exuberance.
The timing of Matthews’ absence is significant, as the defending champions open their 2025 campaign against Guyana Amazon Warriors in the second fixture of the tournament on September 8 at Providence Stadium, Guyana, at 12:30 AM IST. The Royals will now have to recalibrate their strategies without their most prolific all-rounder, relying on the depth of their batting order and bowling resources to fill the void.
Yet, Matthews’ belief in her squad shines through. Her words reflect the competitive spirit that has defined her journey so far, ensuring that even from the sidelines, she continues to be the Royals’ guiding force.
As the WCPL enters its fourth chapter, the absence of its brightest star will undoubtedly be felt, but Matthews’ legacy as the league’s all-time leading performer serves as a reminder of the heights the competition has already scaled, and what it stands to achieve in the years ahead.
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