St Kitts, Aug 31 : Confident after taking her Barbados Royals team to win the inaugural season of The Sixty All-rounder Hayley Matthews’ enthusiasm is evident. “Obviously it’s been thrilling for everyone.
The girls were out and played some fantastic cricket throughout the tournament and I think this victory has given everyone plenty of confidence and faith to play in the women’s CPL,” Matthews said in an announcement.
Each season, Matthews’ Barbados Royals team will begin their women’s CPL campaign with a match against Trinbago Knight Riders, and Matthews, who is 25 years old, believes there’s no reason for the team to alter their strategy significantly.
“I believe for us, it’s been all about taking one step at one time.We’re trying to focus on our strengths and the things that are within our control.We did face a tough beginning to the 6IXTY however, we transformed it with incredible performances I’m looking forward to watching more of that in the WCPL.”
Leadership has always been a natural thing to Hayley who was captain when she was of only 11 years old when she was a captain of an all-boys team in primary school.The mysterious all-rounder has developed her character to study from the top and apply the best qualities as an individual captain.
“I started captaincy early in my life but at the same time I was given the chance to play high quality cricket and learn at a very young age.I believe that being in the Windies team at the age of 16 under players such as Stafanie Taylor Merissa Aguilleira Deandra Dottin and Shakera Selman, and others really provided me with the chance to gain a lot of knowledge,” said the current West Indies and Barbados Royals captain.
Matthews first came into spotlight when she made a career-defining inning of 66 balls off 45 in the final to aid West Indies lift the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016 at the age of just 18.
“I think it’s somewhat fuzzy I think it’s because I was young (laughs).Everything was free-willed.
It was just us and our friends out and played around.It was a matter of do or die and I knew that this was one of the days when it could be a win for you or not so I took a chance and it turned out pretty incredible in the end.Absolutely one of the days I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
A true Royal connection to Hayley is in the shape of her close buddy and former Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Jofra Archer.
In reminiscing about one of her most fond memories of Archer, she said, “When I was probably between 14 and 15 years old, representing Harrison College, I came up against Jofra who was playing for the Christ Church Foundation school side.He opened the bowling from one side, together with West Indies U19 opening bowler Jerome Jones, who was bowling from the opposite end.It was intense to be an 15-year-old with each pacer coming in at speeds of 80-85 miles per hour.But the best part to me was that Jofra was my best friend and, therefore, he kept the pace straight and full while Jerome’s paces were whizzing by my neck.”
“When I think back on everything now, I believe these are the experiences that helped me become the player I am today.However, in the end, I believe Jof was the one who got me LBW or bowled (bursts into laughter).”
When asked whether she would love to join the Royals franchise in the highly anticipated Women’s IPL as well, Hayley stated, “For sure, I would like to play for the Royals.I’ve had a wonderful experience with the team of players in the franchise and they’re always accommodating of the players.The investment they make in women’s cricket is laudable and I believe that such investments made in the proper places is what the game needs.Rajasthan Royals have also been my top choice due to the presence of Jofra, Oshane Thomas and Obed McCoy.So, I would like to remain member of the Royals family, and I hope I will be able to go to the stadiums wearing pink for the women’s IPL next year.”
The Barbados Royals Women’s Team take on Trinbago Knight Riders in their first game of the women’s CPL season on Wednesday.
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