West Indies Women launched their 2026 tour of Ireland with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the first One Day International at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason. Chasing a target of 270, captain Hayley Matthews played a sublime unbeaten knock of 159, while Realeanna Grimmond contributed a composed 91, guiding the visitors to victory with 68 balls to spare and a 1-0 series lead.
Amy Hunter’s 96 Anchors Ireland to Competitive Total
Having elected to bowl first, West Indies Women made early inroads with the dismissal of Sarah Forbes for 11. Ireland then stabilized through Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter, with Lewis striking a fluent 39 from 48 deliveries that included six boundaries.
Hunter assumed control with a superb 96 from just 90 balls. Falling agonizingly short of a century, the right-hander hit ten fours and a six while maintaining momentum through the middle overs. She received able support from Orla Prendergast, who scored 30 off 33, while Rebecca Stokell added 20.
Lower in the order, Louise Little provided valuable late impetus with a brisk 27 from 29 deliveries featuring two sixes, helping Ireland reach a challenging 269 all out in the 49th over.
For West Indies Women, experienced leg-spinner Afy Fletcher excelled with the ball, returning figures of 4 for 49 from her ten overs. Captain Matthews also claimed three wickets for 52, while Karishma Ramharack and Jannillea Glasgow took one apiece.
Matthews and Grimmond Ease West Indies to Target
West Indies Women began the chase confidently and never allowed Ireland’s bowlers to settle. Matthews produced one of her finest ODI innings, smashing an unbeaten 159 from 123 balls. The skipper dominated with 24 boundaries and two towering sixes, blending elegance and aggression to keep the required rate firmly in check.
Matthews found an ideal partner in Realeanna Grimmond, who played a mature knock of 91 from 107 deliveries. Grimmond struck 11 fours and rotated the strike effectively as the pair built a massive partnership that took the game away from Ireland. The stand was eventually broken when Louise Little dismissed Grimmond for 91, but the wicket came too late to spark a comeback. Veteran Stafanie Taylor remained unbeaten on 2 as Matthews sealed an emphatic win, guiding West Indies Women to 270 for 1 in just 38.4 overs.
Ireland’s bowling attack struggled to contain the visitors on a batting-friendly surface. Little took the only wicket to fall, while the rest went wicketless despite sporadic discipline. For her outstanding all-round display—highlighted by a match-winning unbeaten 159 and three wickets—Matthews was deservedly named Player of the Match. The teams return to Bready Cricket Club for the second ODI on Sunday, July 12, with Ireland aiming to level the series and West Indies looking to clinch it early.
Dominating victory for West Indies in the 1st ODI #IREvWI #HayleyMatthews #WestIndies pic.twitter.com/UsOmawTUfa
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 11, 2026