Runs for Matthews but Australia beat West Indies to win T20 series

Pivotal hands from Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry then critical spells from Alana King and Kim Garth helped Australia seal a 2-0 series victory over West Indies, despite a stunning half-century from Hayley Matthews that briefly threatened to steal the game in Kingstown.

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Voll’s blistering 39 from 23 and Perry’s classy 42 from 28 underpinned Australia’s 164-5.

It was an identical total to game one but it was reached in completely different fashion with Voll smashing six boundaries and a six in a brutal powerplay onslaught before West Indies’ bowlers pegged Australia back in the second half of the innings.

Phoebe Litchfield also made 35 off 29 as West Indies’ bowlers shared the five scalps between them however they lost Chinelle Henry to a left hand injury while fielding in her follow through.

Garth’s opening spell, which included a maiden, set up Australia’s victory as Matthews struggled to one off 12 before finally breaking free to make 56 from 41 to give West Indies hope of hauling in 75 from the last 48 balls with nine wickets in hand.

But King extinguished all hopes, picking up Matthews and Stafanie Taylor to finish with 2-25 and the Player-of-the-Match award.

Garth deserved more rewards in her outstanding 0-20 from four overs, but a late missed chance off her bowling allowed Deandra Dottin to finish with 39 not out from 28 and cut the margin to 17 runs when it was set to be much larger.

The win handed Sophie Molineux her first series victory as captain having not bowled or batted in either game after carrying a back injury into the tour. Australia also lost Ashleigh Gardner pre-game to hamstring tightness. (ESPNcricinfo)