WI embrace underdog status ahead of semifinal bout

On October 2, 2023, at the North Sydney Oval, Hayley Matthews blazed to a 64-ball 132. Partnering her was Stafanie Taylor, who crunched a 41-ball 59. The two added 174 for the second wicket as West Indies chased down 213 to beat Australia.

Since neither team wants to dwell on the 2016 T20 World Cup final upset, this contest remains West Indies' only reminder that they can beat Australia when the teams meet Tuesday at the Oval.

Matthews knows they need a freak performance, and she's invoking a curious idea: 'we have nothing to lose'. The odds favor Australia, who are unbeaten in the tournament. West Indies stumbled to the semis after being humbled by Ireland in their last group game.

"I just feel like when we step out onto that field, everyone's expecting us not to win," Matthews admitted Monday. "When you go into a game with people thinking if you do win, it's going to be a surprise, you feel like you can just go there and be free.

"I almost feel like more pressure is on Australia, who are expected to beat us. If they don't, it'll be a massive disappointment for them. So even though we care and want to win, we're certainly not expected to by the masses, and that eases the pressure."

Matthews says telling her team they don't stand a chance is the best way to spur them on.

"I feel like we show up almost every time we come to a World Cup. There's a sense of loving to prove people wrong. It drives a lot of our players, and we use it as motivation and fuel."

West Indies beat the defending champions then lost to a lower-ranked team in just over a week. The extremes have existed for a while — too dependent on Matthews, Deandra Dottin and Taylor.

"Then we had the game against Ireland where it was the complete opposite. We were probably expected to win easier, and I don't want to say choke, but we choked a little bit.

"I think there is an added fire when people think we can't get the job done. You can feel a different energy in the huddle when people are doubting us, and we relish that."

Ash Gardner, the Australian all-rounder, admitted West Indies have players capable of turning the game around, especially Deandra Dottin.

"They're a completely different threat," Gardner said. "They've got a lot of class, firepower, and experience, led brilliantly by Hayley Matthews, who can take away a game quickly.

"But then Deandra Dottin is a threat in all three phases. I've played with her, and she's so fearless, which can be scary because she can flick a switch quickly. They definitely pose a different threat."

On paper, it's still not a match, and Matthews accepts that. West Indies came into the World Cup without a win in home series against Australia and Sri Lanka, then lost to Ireland in the tri-series. Yet they started the World Cup with three successive wins.

Matthews confessed the big players need a special show to beat the strongest team in women's cricket. Against Australia, Matthews averages 46.09 with the bat and has 15 wickets in 13 games. Stafanie Taylor has five half-centuries in 18 matches.

"We're going to need big performances from big players and a standout individual performance," Matthews admitted. "To beat Australia, you need more than one player. Players like Aliyah Alleyne and Jahzara Claxton have been great role players. Alongside our stars, we need an all-round game as a group.

"I've said we haven't had our best match yet. Myself and Deandra Dottin haven't been in the runs, so there's room for improvement."

Matthews praised the non-star figures, especially Aaliyah Allyne.

"Younger players are coming up against people they saw ruling the cricket world when they were younger. It'll mean so much if they can perform well against them. Our young players are full of passion and drive.

"I haven't made a 50. Deandra Dottin hasn't gotten runs. Chinelle Henry has a 1 score. Stafanie Taylor hasn't gotten a 50. And we're winning games, which we haven't seen in a very long time. Other people are getting the job done rather than one or two players pulling the weight.

"It means we have so much better we can get if our bigger players step up. It leaves scope for a lot of belief."

In some ways it's convenient to believe West Indies are awaiting a miracle. But all the statements don't necessarily sync with that. They have to believe they can win. Was Matthews setting the stage for Australia to expect an easy win, while telling her own team everyone is talking them down? The codes in pre-match talks can be hard to decipher. There was plenty of honesty in Matthews' words, but she also ensured that Australia's expectation need not be its shield as much as its target.