The West Indies Women [WIW] failed to qualify for the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup in India, September 29 - October 26, 2025, by the narrowest of net run rates [NRR], .01.
The last time the WIW did not participate in a WC was in 2000. The WIW had to eclipse Bangladesh's NRR of .639 by beating Thailand by 166 runs in 10.1 overs or less. However, the WIW achieved the target in 10.5 overs and finished with an NRR of .626.
Hayley Matthews scored 70 runs off 29 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes; Chinelle Henry, 48 off 17 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes; and Quiana Joseph, 26 runs off 12 balls with 4 fours and 1 six, tried in vain to get the team over the required NRR.
It was a bittersweet victory as the team set a new record for the most runs in the powerplay, 156, but would have traded that record for qualifying for the World Cup finals on the day.
Why did it come down to a battle of NRR in a tournament that the WIW would have started as one of the two favourites [along with Pakistan] to qualify for the World Cup?
Captain Matthews said, "We had a lot of expectations, not just from the outside but from ourselves as well.” Early losses had left the West Indies with an uphill task heading into their final game.” She iterated further, "We feel like we definitely let ourselves down, probably earlier on in the tournament, and I guess we're just paying the price for that now."
Anyone who has been studying the performance of the WIW for any period will proffer a worrying reality of an extremely heavy dependency on the bat of Hayley Matthews. This dependency on Matthews has become even more profound, with Stafanie Taylor being affected by injuries and Deandra Dottin’s hiatus from international cricket.
The inconsistent performance of the WIW is unveiling the serious systemic batting woes that have been beleaguering the team since winning the T20 World Cup in 2016. The problem is even more significant in 50 overs cricket.
<What do the statistics tell us for 2024?>
In April, the WIW defeated Pakistan 3-0. Matthews dominated the Pakistani bowlers, scoring 2 centuries [140 not out and 141] in amassing 325 runs for the series. She was supported by Shemaine Campbelle [135 runs] and Stafanie Taylor [122 runs]. In June, Sri Lanka cantered to victory 3-0. None of the WI batters filled the void of Matthews’s absence in the 2nd and 3rd ODIs.
In the three games, the highest aggregate score was 64 runs by Chedean Nation, followed by Aaliyah Alleyne’s 57 runs and Stafanie Taylor’s 50 runs. In December, India defeated the WIW 3-0; Matthews was the leading scorer with 106 runs despite failing to score in the first and third ODIs, followed by Campbelle with 105 runs. Chinelle Henry, in her only match, scored 61 to be the only other batter to cross 50 runs in the series. One of the team’s biggest challenges was its inability to bat their allotted 50 overs.
Hayley Matthews was the most productive batter in the 9 ODIs in 2024. She amassed 469 runs at an average of 78.16 with three centuries. Campbell was the only other batter to score over 200 runs, with an aggregate of 276 runs at an average of 30.66 runs and a highest score of 52.
In the CG United Super 50 tournament held in February - March in preparation for the ICC Women Qualifiers, 12 batters scored 100 runs or more in 6 matches.
There were 2 aggregates over 200 runs: Realeanna Grimmond [Guyana] had 234 runs at an average of 58.5 runs, with a highest score of 72 not out and 2 scores over 50 runs. She batted 417 balls, 73 more than the second most batted balls, 344 by Kyshona Knight [Barbados]. Rashada Williams [Jamaica] scored 214 runs at an average of 42.79 runs, with a highest score of 86 and two scores over 50 runs. Kyshona Knight [177 runs], Jannillea Glasgow [WI, 175 runs], Kycia Knight [Barbados, 156 runs], Shemaine Campbelle [Guyana, 152 runs], Reniece Boyce [LI, 134 runs], Djenaba Joseph [TT, 134 runs], Shabika Gajnabi [Guyana, 129 runs], Amanda Edwards [LI, 119 runs], Britney Cooper [TT, 115 runs] and Chedean Nation [Jamaica, 100 runs] were the other players to score 100 or more runs.
At the ICC WC Qualifiers, Matthews finished 4th among all batters with 240 runs at an average of 60 with 1 century and 1 50. The next best WI batter was Chinelle Henry, with 171 runs at an average of 57 and one score over 50.
Stephanie Taylor was 19th with 114 runs, followed by Zaida James 26th with 94 runs, Aaliyah Alleyne 33rd with 63 runs, Shemaine Campbelle 34th with 62 runs, Quiana Joseph 36th with 61 runs, Shabika Gajnabi 40th with 45 runs and Jannillea Glasgow 53rd with 18 runs.
Pakistan had four batters with scores over 100 runs, Bangladesh had five batters, Scotland had five batters, Ireland had five batters, and Thailand had two batters.
In the two games, the WIW lost against Scotland by 11 runs; they batted 46.2 overs of their allotted 50 overs, chasing 244 runs, and 39.2 overs against Pakistan, chasing 191 and being bowled out for 126.
Shane Dietz, his technical team, regional coaches, and CWI must find a solution to address the systemic batting woes. Since the emergence of Hayley Matthews in 2016, no batters have announced their arrival to challenge the top 5 countries – Australia, India, England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Additionally, with the next WC in 2029, many current senior players will be out or on their way out of the team. If the batting problem is not addressed, it may eventually take a toll on Matthews!
Looking into the not-too-distant future, the Test match against Australia in 2026 and batting will be key to being competitive.
