Hayley Matthews has replaced Stafanie Taylor as the new West Indies women’s team captain. All-rounder Matthews has served as the vice-captain of West Indies under Stafanie Taylor in the past.
Hayley Named as West Indies Women’s Cricket Team Captain
Former captain Taylor led West Indies in 62 One Day Internationals and 55 T20 Internationals. The decision of captaincy change was taken by West Indies head coach Courtney Walsh.
“If we were thinking of making any changes now would be the best time so that we give the new captain a couple of series under her belt before she enters into a World Cup,” Walsh said.
“Hayley Matthews is young; she has longevity in the game, and she can lead the team for a longer time to get the experience and we are here to support her.
Taylor who led West Indies to the 2016 T20 World Cup title in India and took the side to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 this year in New Zealand will continue to play for Windies under the new setup and will guide her successor with her own leadership experience over the years.
“For us it’s a win-win as we will have Stafanie to concentrate on her best cricket and passing on guidance to Hayley as she grows in the role of taking the team forward.
“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.”
Matthews, who has played 69 ODIs and 69 T20Is for West Indies will lead Barbados at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Barbados was selected as the “representative team” for West Indies at the event in Birmingham.
Taylor, who hails from Jamaica, will not feature at the event, but Matthews will be joined by West Indies regulars and fellow Bajans Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight and Shakera Selman.
“I am both humbled and honoured to be given the opportunity to captain the West Indies women’s team,” Matthews said.
“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.”
At present, Stafanie Taylor is the leading run-scorer for West Indies Women in both T20Is and ODIs.
