Twitter Reactions: Hayley Matthews turns West Indies' fortune to script North Sydney miracle

The second match of the three-match T20I series between West Indies and Australia took place at the North Sydney Oval in Sydney. After a humiliating defeat in the first match, it was crucial for West Indies to win this match and keep their hopes alive in the series.

Batting first, the Australian team had a disastrous start as their captain, Alyssa Healy, was dismissed on the very first ball of the match. Tahlia McGrath also fell in the second over, leaving the score at a mere seven runs on the board.

However, the rest of the Australian batters showcased a batting masterclass. Ellyse Perry's 70 and Phoebe Litchfield's quickfire 52* off just 19 balls propelled Australia to a total of 212 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

At the halfway mark, it seemed like West Indies were destined for another heavy defeat, with Australia set to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. But Windies captain Hayley Matthews, who had already taken three wickets with the ball, had different plans.

While chasing the target, West Indies lost their opening batter, Shabika Gajnabi, for just 11 runs in the third over. However, Stafanie Taylor joined forces with captain Matthews, and together, they unleashed an onslaught on the Australian bowling lineup.

The duo formed a massive 174-run partnership for the second wicket. Matthews scored a stunning 132 off just 64 balls, including 20 fours and five sixes, while Taylor contributed 59 runs off 41 balls with 11 fours to her name. West Indies successfully chased down the target of 213 runs with one ball and seven wickets to spare, stunning the Australian team and leveling the series at 1-1.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

Alyssa Healy has had massive boots to fill as the captain of Australia. It was yet another instance where the plans went awry & there was no correction/adjustment despite Hayley Matthews peppering the same region again & again.

Dropped catches didn't help either.

— Jeet Vachharajani (Women's Cricket) (@Jeetv27WC) October 2, 2023

Queen Hayley Matthews 🫶 pic.twitter.com/GSWYS74oxM

— B E ... K I N D ☺️ (@tipsy_spock) October 2, 2023

Hayley Matthews won POTM consecutive 7 times.#CWC23 #bbtvi #BBNaijaAllStars #Debate2023 #earthquake #biggbosstamil7 #RENAISSANCEWorldTour #inktober2023 #Jets #CaneloCharlo #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/wL6VdWnvaI

— Kuldeep Maharia🇮🇳 (@Kuldeep29959907) October 2, 2023

Hayley Matthews take a bow! 99* in the 1st T20I and 132(64) today against 🇦🇺 to successfully chase 213 👏👏#AUSWvWIW #AUSvsWI #HayleyMatthews pic.twitter.com/OkTeazzofU

— Saieesh Mayya (@MayyaSaieesh) October 2, 2023

JUST WOW 😲
This women single handedly crushed Aussies in their home and chased down 212 #AUSvWI #cricket #inspirational #hayleymatthews pic.twitter.com/GdiFxSnlml

— Rajeev anand (@catlyst14) October 2, 2023

Hayley matthews right now pic.twitter.com/nMQTml8AuT

— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) October 2, 2023

West Indies chase down 213 runs in a T20I match against Mighty Australia....!!!!

- Hayley Matthews is the star with 132 runs from just 64 balls.

One of the greatest chase ever in T20 history.

— Najam Abbas (@NajamAbbas1132) October 2, 2023

One of the greatest innings in T20 cricket!

Take a bow Hayley Matthews
132(64)
20 fours
5 sixes

Some run chase for West Indies 😲😱#AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/biSQ2WN29p

— Halfblood (@halfbloodpkb) October 2, 2023

The last 7⃣ Player of the Match awards for the West Indies in T20Is:

Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews#AUSvWI | @MyNameIs_Hayley

— Cricket Queens (@cricketqueens) October 2, 2023

Hayley Matthews 👏👏👏

Mad batting

Enjoyed it and watching it with mr @irbishi was even more nice .
How much his heart beats for Carribbean cricket ❤️#CricketTwitter#AusVsWI

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 2, 2023

Absolute T-20 batting master class by Hayley M! 🔥#AUSvWI

— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) October 2, 2023

No one would want to be bowler playing on this pitch, but North Sydney Oval- you beauty!! ❤️
What a game of cricket👏🏽 #AUSvWI

— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) October 2, 2023

Great win @windieswomen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿🤸🏿.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 2, 2023

Terrific from the West Indies batting queen Hayley Mathews 👏🏻👏🏻 🤴🏼 🤴🏼. Offside stroke range have helped to improve her exponentially🙏🏽🙏🏽.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 2, 2023