Hayley Matthews, an all-around player, exudes confidence after helping her Barbados Royals team win the inaugural season of THE 6IXTY.
"Undoubtedly, everyone has found it to be quite exciting. I believe this victory has given everyone a lot of confidence and belief coming into the Women's CPL because the girls went out and played some excellent cricket throughout the entire competition "In a statement, Matthews stated.
Matthews' Barbados Royals squad will begin their Women's CPL campaign against Trinbago Knight Riders, and the 25-year-old thinks there isn't much of a need for her team to adapt their strategy from one inaugural season to the next.
"We've been trying to focus on winning one game at a time, I believe. We want to concentrate on our abilities and the variables that we can influence. We did get off to a rough start in the 6IXTY, but things turned around thanks to some incredible performances. I want to see more of that during the WCPL."
Hayley has always been a natural leader; at the age of just 11, she captained a boys' team at her elementary school. Since then, the mysterious all-rounder has changed her demeanour to adopt the best practises as a captain.
"At the same time that I was given the chance to play high level cricket and begin learning at such a young age, I also began captaincy extremely early in my life. I believe that joining the Windies team at the age of 16 and playing with players like Stafanie Taylor, Merissa Aguilleira, Deandra Dottin, and Shakera Selman offered me the chance to learn so much "says the current captain of the West Indies and Barbados Royals.
Matthews first gained attention when, at the age of 18, she helped the West Indies win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup by scoring a career-defining 66 off 45 balls in the Final.
"Actually, I think it's still a little hazy because I was so young (laughs). There was so much free will. We simply went outside and let loose. It was a life-or-death situation, and I knew it was one of those days when things might go your way or not. I decided to take a chance, and the outcome was fairly remarkable. It was undoubtedly one of those days that I will always remember."
Hayley now has a true royal connection thanks to her close friend and former all-rounder for the Rajasthan Royals, Jofra Archer.
She recalled one of her favourite Archer memories, saying, "When I was probably between 14 and 15 years old, Jofra was playing for his Christ Church Foundation school team, and I was representing Harrison College. Along with Jerome Jones of the West Indies U19 opening bowling squad, he was bowling from one end of the pitch. So, with both pacers approaching at 80–85 miles per hour, it was quite a scorching experience for a 15-year-old to go through. Jofra maintained it pretty full and straight, which was beneficial for me, but Jerome's deliveries just flew over my neck because he was my friend."
"Looking back, I believe that they were the situations that shaped me into the player I am today. But in the end, I believe Jof bowled me or got me LBW (laughs out loud)."
When asked if she would like to participate in the highly anticipated Women's IPL for the Royals club, Hayley responded, "Without a doubt, I would adore playing for the Royals. The working group at the franchise has created a great culture, and they are always very supportive of the females. Their investment in women's cricket is commendable, and I believe that our game needs investments like this to be made in the correct places. Jofra, Oshane Thomas, and Obed McCoy have made the Rajasthan Royals one of my favourite teams as well. I would therefore like to remain a member of the Royals family, and I am hoping that I will be able to attend the stadiums decked out in pink for the women's IPL next year."