West Indies were semi-finalists in the last edition of the Women's T20 World Cup, are former champions, and still have some of the biggest names in the format, but the question now is whether they can back that up with another strong campaign.
Can West Indies build on their 2024 run?
West Indies were one of the surprise stories of the 2024 T20 World Cup. They topped their group, knocked England out, and came close to reaching the final.
Since then, though, their T20I form has been mixed. They have won eight and lost 12 of their 22 matches, with series defeats against stronger sides such as India, England and Australia, as well as Sri Lanka. They did win the tri-series in Ireland more recently, where they also made 199 for 6 against Pakistan, their third-highest total in women’s T20Is.
They are in Group B with New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Scotland and Ireland. New Zealand and England will be the toughest games, but West Indies will feel they have a route to the semi-finals if they beat Sri Lanka, Scotland and Ireland. The Sri Lanka match in Bristol could be especially important.
Hayley Matthews and the batting question
West Indies have experience, but the batting still revolves heavily around Hayley Matthews. She opens the batting, takes important wickets with her off-spin, and leads the side. When she has a good game, the West Indies immediately look much stronger.
Since the last T20 World Cup, Matthews has made 781 runs in 20 innings, the second-most by any batter from a Full Member side in this period, behind only Ireland’s Gaby Lewis. She averages 55.78 with one hundred and seven fifties, and is the only West Indies batter to score more than 400 runs in this period.
That shows both her quality and the West Indies’ concern. Qiana Joseph is next with 314 runs at 16.52, while Deandra Dottin has 313 runs at 28.45. Dottin remains their main power-hitter and has hit 19 sixes in this period, more than anyone else in the side. Chinelle Henry has also been useful, scoring 185 runs at a strike rate of 139.09.
But beyond Matthews, the numbers are not especially strong. Several players have either had limited chances or have struggled with tempo. Stafanie Taylor, for example, has made 150 runs at a strike rate of 85.71 since the last T20 World Cup. She brings experience, but West Indies will need more fluency from the middle order if Matthews or Dottin do not carry the innings.
This is where West Indies’ campaign could be decided. They have players who can win matches, but they need more than one or two batters to excel.
Where West Indies could thrive and struggle
West Indies’ bowling has enough variety. Afy Fletcher has taken 19 wickets since the last T20 World Cup, while Matthews has 17. Jahzara Claxton has 12 wickets, and Henry, Dottin, Karishma Ramharack and Zaida James have all taken nine each.
West Indies are not dependent on one bowler alone, and they have enough spin and all-round options to adjust to different conditions. James has been especially economical, with nine wickets at 18.33 and an economy rate of 6.11, while Henry has also done a steady job, taking nine wickets at 20.11 and going at under seven an over.
The concern is whether the batting can give the bowlers enough to work with. That was the problem in the 2024 semi-final as well. West Indies restricted New Zealand to 128 for 9, with Dottin taking four wickets, but could only reach 120 for 8 in the chase. Dottin’s 33 off 22 kept them alive, but the innings never fully came together.
That remains the basic question around West Indies. Their bowling and all-round depth should make them competitive, and Matthews gives them a genuine match-winner. But if the batting depends too much on a few, they may struggle against stronger sides.
West Indies’ schedule at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
West Indies vs New Zealand, June 13, Southampton
West Indies vs Scotland, June 18, Leeds
West Indies vs Sri Lanka, June 21, Bristol
West Indies vs England, June 24, Lord’s
West Indies vs Ireland, June 27, Bristol
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