Bridgetown, Barbados – June 11, 2025: In a fiery showdown at the historic Three Ws Oval, West Indies Women silenced critics and began their ODI campaign on a high, stunning South Africa Women by 4 wickets (DLS Method) in the 1st ODI of the 3-match series.
After a string of disappointing whitewashes against England, the Caribbean queens finally found their rhythm—led by a blazing knock from Qiana Joseph, who not only anchored the chase but lit up Barbados with fearless strokeplay.
🏏 Match Recap: How the Drama Unfolded
🟢 Windies’ Chase – Dominance Under Clouds
Chasing a revised target of 168 runs in 29 overs, West Indies got off to a confident start. But it was Qiana Joseph’s sensational 60 off 58 balls (10 fours, 1 six) that stole the spotlight. Calm, composed, and confident—Joseph’s innings screamed intent and ignited the crowd.
Hayley Matthews, the ever-reliable skipper, added fuel to the fire with a gritty 40 off 44, setting the stage for the finishing punch.
🔴 South Africa’s Struggles – No Spark, Only Flickers
Batting first under overcast skies, South Africa managed 162/7 in 40.1 overs. The innings lacked momentum, with the middle order struggling to counter the Windies’ tight bowling.
Chloe Tryon’s tame dismissal for just 9 runs in the 41st over summed up South Africa’s innings—tentative and toothless.
🌟 Star of the Match: Qiana Joseph
With a strike rate of 103.44, Qiana not only stabilized the innings but took the attack to South African bowlers with fearless precision. Her match-winning innings is being hailed as one of the finest under pressure in recent Windies women’s cricket history.
🔥 Honorable Mention: Ayanda Hlubi
South Africa’s silver lining was Ayanda Hlubi, who showed fire both with the ball and bat. She picked up 2 crucial wickets and scored a fighting 11 off 10 balls, displaying the grit that the Proteas sorely lacked overall.
🎯 What’s at Stake in the Series?
This ODI series is more than just a contest—it’s redemption. After crushing losses to England, the West Indies Women are desperate to reclaim their pride. Meanwhile, South Africa is rebuilding, trying to inject consistency back into their ranks before the ICC Women’s Championship kicks into high gear.
📌 What’s Next?
With the Windies 1-0 up, all eyes now shift to the 2nd ODI, where South Africa will be under pressure to respond. Can they bounce back or will the Caribbean storm continue to surge?