When we talk about modern-day women’s cricket superstars, Hayley Mathews ranks among the best. Known for her batting, off-spin bowling and leadership skills, the Barbadian all-rounder is the face of West Indies women’s cricket. From child prodigy to captaincy and winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Mathews’ journey is a story of determination and evolution.
In this blog, we will delve deep into her career, from her beginnings to her records, controversies, achievements, ICC rankings and much more.
Hayley was born on March 19, 1998, in Barbados and raised in Bridgetown. Introduced to cricket at home by her father and brother, she quickly developed a passion for the game. Her love for the game was so strong that, at just eight years old, she asked her school’s boys’ cricket coach to join her team. The coach agreed, and from that moment on, something extraordinary began.
By the age of 11, Mathews had become captain of the under-13 boys’ team, making her the first girl to captain a boys’ cricket team in Barbados.
Interestingly, cricket was not her only sporting passion. Mathews was also a talented track and field athlete, excelling in the javelin throw in particular. At the 2015 CARIFTA Games, she won a gold medal in the under-18 category. Despite her success in athletics, her passion for cricket remained strong. And this decision led her to become one of the most dynamic players in world cricket.
Haley Mathews began her domestic career playing for Barbados Women. There, her all-round abilities soon caught the attention of the national selectors.
She also made her mark internationally in franchise leagues, playing for many top teams around the world:
She is known for single-handedly turning matches around with bat or ball. Be it the WBBL or the WPL, Mathews’ aggressive batting and ability to take wickets at crucial moments make her the complete package.
Mathews’ rise to international fame started early. It was a reflection of her immense talent and ability.
At just 16, she became a regular in the West Indies team, opening the batting and providing important breakthroughs with her off-spin.
Her breakout performance came in the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. In that match, she played a 45-ball 66 in the final against Australia, helping West Indies win the World Cup title for the first time. This innings is one of the best performances in women’s T20 history.
In 2018, Mathews was appointed as the vice-captain of the West Indies team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Her leadership and performances since then have made her one of the most respected figures in Caribbean cricket.
Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tests | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
ODIs | 99 | 96 | 3074 | 141 | 33.78 | 76.42 | 8 | 9 |
T20Is | 112 | 112 | 2975 | 132 | 28.88 | 115.54 | 19 | 3 |
Format | Innings | Balls | Runs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | Best Bowling |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODIs | 93 | 4382 | 3011 | 125 | 24.09 | 4.12 | 35.06 | 4/15 |
T20Is | 105 | 2087 | 2116 | 113 | 18.73 | 6.08 | 18.47 | – |
Mathews’ dual contribution in both batting and bowling underscores her importance to the team. Very few players in world cricket maintain a balance of averages above 30 with the bat and below 25 with the ball.
Haley Mathews is a batting all-rounder who opens the innings and bowls right-arm break. Her playing style is as follows:
As of 2025, Hayley Mathews has an estimated net worth of around $2.5 million USD.
Her earnings come from:
With increasing global exposure and her consistent performances, her market value in women’s cricket has continued to grow.
Haley represents the next generation of talented, fearless and ambitious West Indian cricketers. She has reignited interest in women’s cricket across the Caribbean through her achievements and leadership.
Her journey from a young girl playing in a boys’ team to captaining her country on the world stage remains a beacon of hope for aspiring players. But it is very special for young women in the Caribbean who dream of breaking barriers.
With her best years still ahead, Mathews is poised to become one of the all-time greats in women’s cricket history.
From a fearless young woman to a world champion and one of the world’s top-ranked all-rounders, Hayley Mathews’ story is one of passion and purpose. Her journey has inspired not only Caribbean cricket fans but the entire global cricket community.
As she continues to dominate with both bat and ball, Mathews is set to forever etch her name into the legends of women’s cricket.
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At the age of 16, Hayley made her T20I debut for the West Indies women’s team against the New Zealand women’s team at the Arnos Vale Ground on September 27, 2014. A few months later, she made her ODI debut against the Australian women’s team at the Hurstville Oval on November 11, 2014.
Mathews’ breakthrough came in the 2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, where her brilliant 66 helped West Indies win the World Cup title. She has also crossed 3,000 ODI runs and 100 ODI wickets.
Yes, in 2019, Hayley faced disciplinary action from Cricket West Indies for breaching the team’s code of conduct. As a result, she was banned from playing eight matches.
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $2.5 million USD. She has represented several domestic and franchise teams, including:
Hayley’s unique combination of batting, spin bowling and sharp fielding makes her a true all-rounder.