When you think about West Indies women’s cricket today, one name shines bright — Hayley Matthews. She is strong, talented, and always gives her best for her team. Hayley is now one of the top all-rounders in the world. She bats, bowls, leads, and inspires. Her story shows that dreams do come true with hard work and belief.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hayley Kristen Matthews |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Barbados |
| Nationality | Barbadian |
| Age (as of 2025) | 27 years |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | Around 65 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Batting Style | Right-hand batter |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-spin |
| Role | All-rounder, Captain (West Indies Women’s Team) |
| Father’s Name | Mike Matthews (former Barbados cricketer) |
| Mother’s Name | Lisa Matthews |
| Siblings | One brother – Joshua Matthews |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Boyfriend | Not publicly known / Not confirmed |
| Major Teams Played For | West Indies, Barbados Royals, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Welsh Fire |
| Debut (International) | 2014 (at age 16) |
| Career Highlights | 2016 World T20 Winner, Player of the Match (Final); ICC No.1 ODI All-rounder |
| Records | Over 2,000 ODI runs, 100+ ODI wickets, top-ranked T20 batter |
| Captaincy | Became West Indies captain in June 2022 |
| Known Controversies | 2021 selection and contract disputes with Barbados Cricket Association |
| Hobbies | Track & field, beach outings, cooking Caribbean food |
| Charity Work | Advocates for girls in sports, visits schools and academies |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram, Twitter (shares updates on cricket and travel) |
| Famous For | Fearless batting, sharp off-spin, leadership, match-winning performances |
Life and Childhood
Hayley Kristen Matthews was born on March 19, 1998, in Barbados. She grew up on the sunny island where cricket is like a festival. From a young age, Hayley loved sports. She did not only play cricket. She was good in track and field too.
Her dad, Mike Matthews, also played cricket. He played for the Barbados team. Hayley’s father became her first coach and cheerleader. He taught her the basics. He made her believe she could play at the highest level one day.
As a little girl, Hayley played cricket with boys in her neighborhood. Many times, people thought she could not play well because she was a girl. But every time, Hayley proved them wrong. Her big hits and fast bowling made her stand out.
She studied at Harrison College in Barbados. There too, she balanced her studies and sports well. Her teachers always said she was focused and determined.
Family Background
Hayley’s family is close and supportive. Her parents always stood by her. Her father Mike and mother Lisa attend her matches when they can. Her brother Joshua also loves cricket.
Though the Matthews family is not very big, they are very united. They celebrate Hayley’s victories and help her stay strong in tough times. She often says her family is her biggest strength.
Rise in Cricket Career
Hayley’s big break came in 2014. She was just 16 when she made her debut for the West Indies women’s team. That day changed her life forever. People saw a young girl with a brave heart and amazing talent.
She opened the batting and bowled off-spin too. She soon became a regular in the team. Her confidence grew with each match. Hayley’s batting style is fearless. She loves to hit big sixes and find gaps in the field.
One of her biggest moments came during the ICC Women’s World T20 Final in 2016. Hayley was only 18 then. She scored 66 runs in just 45 balls against Australia. West Indies won the World Cup. Hayley won the Player of the Match award. That innings made her a star overnight.
Since then, she has been one of the pillars of West Indies women’s cricket. She has played over 80 ODIs and many T20 matches. She is now the team captain. Hayley leads by example. She always pushes her teammates to give their best.
Records and Achievements
Hayley has many records to her name:
✅ She is ranked the No.1 ODI all-rounder in the world.
✅ She has scored over 2,000 runs in ODIs and taken more than 100 wickets.
✅ In T20s, she is among the top-ranked batters globally.
✅ She won the ICC Player of the Month in October 2022 for her amazing performances.
✅ She was named captain of the Barbados Royals team in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Her stats keep getting better every year. Hayley plays in leagues across the world. She has played in the Big Bash League in Australia and The Hundred in England. Everywhere she goes, she leaves her mark.
Relationship and Boyfriend
Hayley keeps her personal life very private. She does not like to share much about who she dates. As of now, there is no confirmed news about her boyfriend.
She has many friends in cricket circles, but she stays focused on her game. Many fans are curious about her love life. But Hayley says her love for cricket is her biggest relationship for now.
She believes that there will be time for romance later. Right now, she wants to make history for her team and country.
Leadership and Captaincy
Hayley is not just a player now — she is a leader. She became captain of the West Indies women’s team in June 2022. Many people praised this decision because Hayley is young but mature.
She is known for staying calm under pressure. When her team is down, she lifts their spirits. She takes smart decisions on the field. She also tries to bring more young girls into cricket.
Hayley says being captain is a big responsibility. She wants to be a role model for the next generation. She wants every girl in the Caribbean to believe they can be like her — or even better!
Playing Style and Strengths
Hayley’s biggest strength is that she is an all-rounder. She can change a match with her batting or her bowling.
When she bats, she is aggressive. She opens the innings and looks to dominate the bowlers. She plays classic cover drives but is also known for big sixes over mid-wicket.
With the ball, Hayley bowls right-arm off-spin. She uses flight and variation to trick the batters. She often breaks big partnerships when her team needs it the most.
Her fitness is also top-class. She trains hard to stay strong. She loves fielding and has taken some amazing catches.
Controversies and Challenges
Hayley’s journey has not always been smooth. In 2021, there was a dispute between her and the Barbados Cricket Association. Hayley did not play in a few matches because of disagreements on selection and fitness rules.
There were also talks about player payments and contracts in the women’s team. Hayley spoke up about fair treatment for women players. Some people did not like her strong stand. But many young players praised her courage.
In the end, Hayley and the board sorted things out. She came back stronger than ever. She proved that standing up for what is right makes you a true leader.
Global Leagues and Popularity
Hayley is one of the most popular women’s cricketers in the world. She plays in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia. She has played for teams like Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades.
In The Hundred (England), she has played for Welsh Fire. Fans love watching her because she brings energy to every game.
Hayley also plays in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India. She attracts big money in auctions because she is a match-winner.
Her social media following is growing fast too. She has thousands of fans who follow her training, matches, and travel updates. She uses her platform to motivate young girls to play sports.
Life Outside Cricket
When Hayley is not playing cricket, she loves spending time with her family in Barbados. She enjoys the beach and loves swimming. She also likes music and cooking Caribbean food.
Hayley does charity work too. She talks about equal opportunities for girls in sports. She visits schools and cricket academies to share her story.
Role Model and Legacy
Hayley Matthews is much more than just a cricketer. She is a role model for many. She shows that a girl from a small island can shine on the world stage.
She works hard every day to keep improving. She inspires her teammates to dream big. Her story teaches us that there are no limits when you believe in yourself.
Height, Age, and Physical Details
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (approx.)
- Weight: Around 65 kg (approx.)
- Age: 27 years (as of 2025)
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Black
Hayley keeps herself fit with regular workouts. She believes good fitness helps her play long innings and bowl long spells.
