Matthews, Campbelle star as West Indies clinch ODI series against Zimbabwe


West Indies won the three-match series against Zimbabwe 2-1. Hayley Matthews scored her second century in three matches, and Shemaine Campbelle missed out on what would have been her second ODI hundred. After being asked to bat, West Indies put up 271 for 5, and the hosts were bowled out for 180. West Indies began cautiously in the series decider but Matthews scored 34 of the 38 they made in the first ten overs. Her opening partner Realeanna Grimmond's struggles soon came to an end when left-arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda bowled her for 3 off 27 balls. That was the only bit of cheer for Zimbabwe before Matthews and Campbelle added 160 for the second wicket off 168 balls. From the beginning, Matthews scored frequently. She reached fifty on 55 balls before soaring to a century on only 98. That allowed Campbelle to pace her innings. Matthews, who had missed out on a double century in the first ODI, miscued Sibanda to fall for 118 off 113 balls in the 39th over. Campbelle, on the other hand, took her time to reach 50 in 70 balls before accelerating to score 46 runs in 49 deliveries before being run out. She looked to whip legspinner Beloved Biza through midwicket, but Kelis Ndhlovu took a diving catch to dismiss her. Jannillea Glasgow and Jahzara Claxton found some boundaries towards the end to propel West Indies to a big total. In response, Zimbabwe were never in the chase. They lost their openers in the first 14 balls, with Modester Mupachikwa falling to an athletic effort from Grimmond at deep midwicket. She ran in diagonally from the rope and then dived to pouch an aerial flick, much to left-arm spinner Zaida James' surprise. For Zimbabwe, only captain Josephine Nkomo provided some resistance. She scored her sixth ODI fifty, and finished 74 not out - that was just two shy of her highest ODI score - as she ran out of partners. However, Campbelle's fitness might make West Indies a little nervous despite the 91-run victory. In the eighth over of the chase, she held her chest and went down, and had to be stretchered out. With Matthews missing the T20I leg of the tour for personal reasons, Campbelle would have been a candidate to lead West Indies in the three-match series.