As the West Indies women’s team embarked on their ODI campaign against South Africa on home soil, all eyes were glued on one name: Hayley Matthews. The dynamic all-rounder was 30 runs shy of the prestigious 3,000-run milestone in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), a landmark that will further solidify her status as one of the modern greats in women’s cricket.
Matthews first donned the maroon cap as a precociously talented 16-year-old on 11th November 2014, making her debut against the formidable Australians at Hurstville Oval, Sydney. Since then, Matthews’ journey has been an intriguing blend of youthful exuberance and mature leadership.
What sets Matthews apart is not just her prodigious talent, but her consistency and her penchant for rising to the occasion. She wasn’t content with just being a promising teenager; she rapidly became the backbone of the Caribbean batting line-up.
1,000 ODI Runs: Achieved on 9th June 2019 against England. In a low-scoring match, her knock of 17 might not have been headline-grabbing, but it underlined her growing stature in the side, reaching four figures before her 21st birthday.
2,000 ODI Runs: On 26th June 2023, with an audacious century (109 off 106 balls) against Ireland at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia. That innings was a masterclass in aggressive stroke-play and situational awareness, epitomising the fearless Matthews the world had come to admire. She was also awarded the Player of the Match for her match-defining innings and her impactful contributions with the ball for her side.
3,000 Runs: She achieved the remarkable landmark in the 1st ODI of the three-match series against South Africa at the Three Ws Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. After opting to bowl first, the home side restricted South Africa to 232/9 in their quota of 50 overs. En route to a solid 88-run opening partnership alongside Qiana Joseph, she achieved the landmark on the final ball of the 7th over, bowled by Ayabonga Khakha, when she played the ball in the gap for a couple of runs.
Matthews becomes only the third West Indian woman to breach the 3,000-run mark in ODIs, joining the illustrious company of Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin. Hayley Matthews (40 off 44 balls) was eventually dismissed by Ayanda Hlubi on the final ball of the 14th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for South Africa.
She now has a total of 3,010 runs at a strike rate of 76.08 and an impressive average of 33.82 in 94 innings, including 9 centuries and 7 half-centuries to her name with the bat for her side in the ODI format.
Elevated to the captaincy, Matthews has shouldered the hopes with remarkable poise. Her captaincy tenure hasn’t been without challenges, none more so than the recent T20I and ODI series in England, where the West Indies were whitewashed. Yet, it’s in adversity that Matthews’ leadership qualities have shone brightest. Whether with the bat, ball, or in the field, she continues to lead by example, embracing the responsibility of nurturing the next generation of West Indian stars.
There is a sense of pride that Matthews has etched her name into the 3,000-run club, perhaps as early as the opening game of the ODI series against the visiting South African side led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, starting 11th June 2025. The milestone is more than just a personal triumph; it is a testament to her longevity and her unwavering commitment to West Indies cricket.
For cricket fans across the Caribbean and the world, the arrival at 3,000 runs is an occasion to celebrate not just the achiever, but the spirit she embodies. Hayley Matthews is more than just a run accumulator; she is a trailblazer, an ambassador for women’s cricket and an inspiration for young girls dreaming of emulating her path.
As Matthews strides out to the middle in the upcoming games while taking on the Proteas, the records may well tumble. But, for those who have watched her journey from Hurstville to Gros Islet and beyond, the real milestone is not just the runs, it’s the rise of a leader, icon, and champion.
