Hayley Matthews named ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023

West Indies women’s captain Hayley Matthews has been named the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023. Matthews is just the second West Indies cricketer to receive the honor after Stephanie Taylor who received the award back in 2015. Matthews played brilliant knocks with the bat and displayed significant performance with the ball throughout the year.

Hayley Matthews left behind Australia‘s Australia’s Ellyse Perry, England’s Sophie Ecclestone, and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, to win the award. Matthews scored a total of 700 runs with the bat and took 19 wickets with the ball in the 14 T20I matches she played in 2023.

While speaking to ICC Hayley Matthews revealed that it was an honour for her to receive the award. Matthews further stated that she was blessed to have a pretty good year and also wear the colors for West Indies. Matthews further added that she saw many West Indies players win the award and to come out of them and receive the honor is a pretty special feeling.

Hayley Matthews expresses feelings after winning the T20 Women’s Cricketer of the Year

Hayley Matthews said, “I have been really blessed to have a pretty good year with West Indies wearing those colours, performing really well and helping the team. Growing up I saw many of my idols getting these type of awards a lot, so to be able to come out as a player with this award is special for me.”

Hayley Matthews, who is the number one ranked in the ICC Women’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings, showcased a brilliant performance against Australia, which was played in the second half of the year 2023. Matthews scored a total of 310 runs from 3 games at a mindblowing average of 155. She slammed 2 half-centuries and one century in three matches. Matthews also added the record of scoring the most runs in a T20I series by a West Indies women’s batter.

The second West Indies player to win the honour 🙌

The experienced all-rounder has won the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award 🎉https://t.co/MvUBluOdR6

— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2024

Hayley Matthews scored 99, 132, and 79 in the three matches of the series, and her best knock came in the second match, in which West Indies were chasing down 213 runs. Matthews also had a decent performance in the T20 World Cup 2023, wherein she scored 130 runs and took four wickets.

Apart from scoring 132 runs while chasing down 213 runs, Hayley Matthews also picked up 3/36 with the ball, however, she could not stop Australia from making 212 runs.

Hayley Matthews will once again look forward to repeating the same performance in the year 2024. West Indies won the 2016 T20 World Cup, however, the rest two were won by Australia. With the T20 World Cup coming up in 2024, she will aim to repeat the heroics and help West Indies win the T20 World Cup trophy.

T20 cricket has played a major role in transforming women’s cricket. However, West Indies, are known to be the most impactful team in T20 cricket and are known for their power hitting. West Indies will be the clear contender to win the T20 World Cup 2024.