Hayley Matthews Becomes Joint-Third Highest Centurion in Women's ODIs

West Indies Women's captain Hayley Matthews delivered a commanding performance today, September 24, 2026, at the Harare Sports Club, striking her 13th One Day International (ODI) century during the opening match of the West Indies Women's tour of Zimbabwe. This monumental innings not only set the tone for the series but also elevated Matthews into an elite group of batters, making her the joint-third highest centurion in the history of Women's ODI cricket. Zimbabwe Women vs West Indies Women Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast in India, 1st ODI 2026.

Hayley Matthews Hits Sublime Century

Skipper Hayley Matthews brings up a sublime century in the opening ODI in Harare 💯👏

📝: https://t.co/rtyw90C0Dj pic.twitter.com/XfLVTFOLkH

— ICC (@ICC) September 24, 2026

The 28-year-old all-rounder, born on March 19, 1998, showcased her class with a brilliant unbeaten knock of 110 runs off just 98 balls, laced with 15 boundaries and two towering sixes. Her masterful innings was instrumental in guiding the West Indies to a dominant total in the first ODI of the three-match series, which is a crucial fixture in the ICC Women's Championship.

A Place Among Legends

Matthews' 13th century draws her level with New Zealand's Suzie Bates and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who also boast 13 ODI hundreds each. This places her just behind Australian legend Meg Lanning, who leads the all-time list with 15 centuries, and India's Smriti Mandhana, who has 14. England's Tammy Beaumont also sits closely with 12 centuries.

Matthews' consistent brilliance has been a hallmark of her career, with 2024 seeing an extraordinary run of form that included three ODI centuries. She had reached her 10th ODI century earlier this year in March 2026 against Sri Lanka. Her ability to convert starts into significant scores has solidified her reputation as one of the game's most formidable batters. Harmanpreet Kaur Visibly Irritated by Media Flashlights at Airport on Return to India After Asian Games 2026 Cricket Gold.

Match Details: ZIM-W vs WI-W 1st ODI

The 1st ODI between Zimbabwe Women and West Indies Women kicked off today, September 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM local time (CAT, UTC+2) at the Harare Sports Club. This series marks a significant moment for both teams, particularly for Zimbabwe Women, who are hosting their maiden white-ball bilateral series against the West Indies.

Series Schedule

West Indies' Objectives in Zimbabwe

Captain Matthews had earlier emphasized the West Indies' goal of securing a full six points from the three-match ODI series, highlighting its importance for automatic qualification for the next Women's Cricket World Cup.'The games here are going to be very important," Matthews stated ahead of the series. 'I think when you look at where we are in the table, obviously wanting automatic qualification for that next World Cup. So we must try to come down here and be able to take all six points.' Mumbai Indians and WPL Head Coach Lisa Keightley Part Ways, Luke Williams Named Successor Ahead of 2027 Season.

Zimbabwe, a growing team in the Championship cycle, presents a fresh challenge for the Caribbean side, and Matthews' leadership and stellar form will be crucial throughout the tour. Her ability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball makes her a pivotal player for the West Indies as they aim for a strong performance in this crucial series.

This historic series is a key step for both nations in the ongoing ICC Women's Championship, promising exciting cricket and significant strides for women's cricket development.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 03:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).