Hayley Matthews named new West Indies captain
All-rounder Hayley Matthews has been named the West Indies Women’s team captain. She will replace Stafanie Taylor at the helm and will lead the side in the next series they will play. The change in leadership was recommended by the Women’s selection panel and Cricket West Indies (CWI) backed the decision, thereby making the announcement. This has ended Taylor’s 10-year association with leadership when she first led the Caribbean side back in 2012 in T20Is.
Taylor led West Indies in 55 T20Is and 62 ODIs during her tenure as captain winning 29 and 25 matches respectively in the two formats. The team also won the T20 World Cup in 2016 under her captaincy. Hayley Matthews served as a deputy to her over the last few years and the lead selector Ann Browne-John felt that this is the ideal time for her to take over the reins from Taylor.
The selection panel has done a review of the team including the leadership. After this review, the panel took the decision to recommend that Hayley Matthews takes over the role as captain. Hayley has made notable progress over the years, serving as Vice-Captain of the West Indies Women’s Team and is the current Captain of her National Team, Barbados.
“She has matured as a player and is one of the leading players worldwide with a good grasp of the game. Given the experience that she would have gained in both roles, we are confident this is the ideal time for her to step into the role of captain. We recognize that leading the team for seven years is a considerable achievement to which Stafanie has given huge levels of commitment and energy. We believe Stafanie is a world-class performer who will no doubt continue to add tremendous value to the team as one of the top all-rounders in the game,” Ann Browne-John said according to Cricbuzz.
Hayley Matthews humbled to get the opportunity
Hayley Matthews has so far represented West Indies in 69 ODIs and 61 T20Is and is honoured to get a chance to lead the West Indies. She also lauded Stafanie Taylor for her leadership skills and is looking forward to her guidance in leading the team in the near future. “I am both humbled and honoured to be given the opportunity to Captain the West Indies Women’s Team. It is definitely an exhilarating feeling and I welcome the experience to lead and learn with open arms”.
“This team has been very close to my heart from the beginning of my professional career eight years ago and the influence of Stafanie’s leadership throughout those eight years has played a major role in the player I am today. I eagerly anticipate working with the players to continue building on the progress in which the team has made thus far. I would like to thank Stafanie for her astounding leadership of the team over the years. We’ve accomplished some of our biggest milestones with her at the forefront and I look forward to continuing playing alongside her,” Matthews said.
