West Indian women produced a disciplined all-round performance to beat Sri Lanka Women With five wickets in the 17th over ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground in Bristol. After electing to bowl first, the Caribbean side restricted Sri Lanka to just 98 balls and chased down the target in 23 balls. Stephanie Taylor and a clinical bowling effort led by the captain Hayley Matthews.
West Indies bowlers dominate after early breakthroughs
Electing to field after winning the toss proved to be the right decision for West Indies Women as their bowlers never allowed Sri Lanka to settle. Hayley Matthews hit three crucial knocks, finished with excellent figures of 3 for 15 from four overs and set the tone for the innings.
Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start in defeat Vishmi Rajapaksa Gunaratne and Chamari Athapathu cheap before Harshitha Samarawickrama was dismissed without scoring. Dulani is over and attempted to rebuild with 17 runs Kavisha Dilhari Added 21 fights. Nilakshi de Silva top scored with 30 off 26 deliveries providing short resistance through some elegant stroke play.
However, regular wickets prevented any momentum from developing. Chinelle Henry, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack All out with one wicket as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98 in 19.4 overs. Kavya Kavindi‘s patient 17 off 28 balls offered some support down the order, but the innings never recovered from its shaky start.
A calm strike from Stafani Taylor seals a comfortable chase
The chase was not entirely easy for the West Indies as the Sri Lankan bowlers managed to create a few anxious moments. Matthews made 17 before departing Deandra Dottin contributed 12. To Shemaine Campbell couldn’t turn the start, he left the shot under pressure for a short time.
Experienced campaigner Stephanie Taylor then steadied the chase with a figure of 27 off 25, hitting a boundary and a six while keeping the required ratio under control. Although Jahzara Claxton and Henry fell in the chase, Jannilea Glasgow‘s helped lead 10 unbeaten sides to the finish line.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers put up a tough fight despite defending a modest total. Dilhari impressed with 2 for 22 from four overs, Athapaththu and Nimasha Madushani each keeper claimed. Mithali Ayodhya he also bowled economically, conceding only seven runs in his spell of three.
West Indies eventually reached 99 for 5 in 16.1 overs to complete a five-wicket victory. The result highlighted the team’s bowling depth and ability to handle low-pressure chases, with Mathews’ all-round influence and Taylor’s experience crucial in yet another crucial win in the tournament.
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
