In 2016, West Indies cricket had an exceptional year, capturing three major ICC titles: the ICC Under-19 World Cup, the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup, and the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup. Notably, both the men’s and women’s T20 World Cup triumphs took place on the same day, April 3rd, 2016, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Among these victories, the women’s team’s triumph stood out as they defeated the highly favored Australian side, signaling a significant moment in the history of women’s cricket.
Australia entered the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India as the clear favorites, aiming for their fourth consecutive title. However, the West Indies, under the leadership of Stafanie Taylor, defied expectations. Their success was the result of a collective team effort, with crucial contributions from Taylor, the young Hayley Matthews, the explosive Deandra Dottin, and veteran leg-spinner Afy Fletcher.
Placed in Group B alongside England, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the West Indies kicked off their campaign with a narrow 4-run victory over Pakistan on March 16th. Four days later, they secured a convincing 49-run win against Bangladesh. Their only defeat in the tournament came in a low-scoring thriller against England. In their final group stage match, they edged out the hosts, India, by 3 runs, finishing second in their group and setting up a semi-final clash with New Zealand, the Group A toppers. The West Indies emerged victorious in a tight semi-final, winning by 6 runs to earn a spot in the final against Australia.
The final, held on April 3rd, 2016, at Eden Gardens, saw Australia win the toss and elect to bat. They started well, with Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning forming a crucial 77-run partnership after Alyssa Healy fell early to 18-year-old Hayley Matthews. The West Indies bowlers, led by Deandra Dottin and Anisa Mohammed, applied pressure in the later stages of the innings. Dottin’s exceptional final over yielded just 1 run and 2 wickets, limiting Australia to a modest total of 148.
The West Indies’ chase was anchored by a brilliant 120-run opening partnership between Taylor and Matthews. Both scored half-centuries, with Matthews leading the charge with 66 from 45 balls. With just 29 runs needed from 30 balls, the West Indies comfortably chased down the target with 3 balls to spare. Matthews was named Player of the Match, while Taylor, who finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 246 runs and also claimed 8 wickets, was deservedly awarded Player of the Tournament. Dottin and Fletcher also made significant contributions, taking 9 and 7 wickets respectively.
This victory marked the West Indies’ first win over Australia in nine attempts, and they achieved it on the grandest stage of all—a World Cup final. For Matthews, the tournament was especially memorable. She started it at 17, too young to legally buy alcohol, and finished it as an 18-year-old covered in champagne, a key player in her team’s historic win.
The spotlight also shone brightly on Stafanie Taylor, captain of the triumphant women’s team. The significance of their achievement went beyond just the trophy—it reignited interest in women’s cricket in the Caribbean, a region where the sport had seen a decline in popularity since the days when former England captain Rachael Heyhoe-Flint spoke of crowds of up to 6,000 watching matches against Jamaica at Sabina Park in 1967. For a region where both men’s and women’s cricket had struggled with waning public interest, this victory provided a much-needed boost.
The West Indies women’s 2016 T20 World Cup victory was a defining moment for Caribbean cricket. It revitalized the region’s cricketing spirit, showcasing their potential on the global stage and inspiring future generations. That triumph marked the beginning of a hopeful new era for West Indies cricket.
