West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has called on her side to stay positive and deliver in their must-win final Group B fixture against Ireland, after England inflicted the Caribbean team's first defeat of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Lord's Cricket Ground on 25 June 2026. The result means West Indies must beat Ireland to keep their semi-final qualification in their own hands.

The Defeat at Lord's

England capitalised on a West Indies decision to bowl first, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Knight posting a challenging total that the Caribbean side never seriously threatened in the chase, despite a late partnership. Matthews acknowledged the tactics may have backfired from the toss.

'It certainly was hot out there, but I feel like it was a bad decision for us to bowl. The batters started off pretty well for the England side. We probably missed our lengths at some intervals and towards the end, but I still felt like we were not too bad; we probably let ourselves down a bit in the field more so than anything,' Matthews said after the match.

Matthews' Dismissal and the DRS Controversy

A key talking point was the dismissal of Matthews herself, given out caught behind after England successfully reviewed an on-field not-out decision. The call drew debate, though Matthews accepted the verdict while maintaining she did not edge the ball.

'I certainly felt that when I cut the ball, I didn't hear a noise, but I felt like I definitely did not hit it. But at the end of the day, I feel like the umpire's decision has got to be final. I think there was a clear gap between the bat and ball, but at the same time I've got to respect the decision that was made and go ahead with that,' the all-rounder stated.

Stefanie Taylor's Fitness Concern

Matthews also flagged a significant fitness worry involving senior batter Stefanie Taylor, who was forced to leave the field during England's innings after experiencing breathing difficulties. 'Stefanie was feeling a bit unwell today. She left the field in the first inning due to chest tightness and difficulty breathing. So I think she's got a bit of a respiratory illness, so hopefully, she can get better for the next match. And that's a really crucial match for us,' Matthews said. Taylor's availability for the Ireland game remains uncertain.

West Indies' Path to the Semi-Finals

Despite the setback, Matthews was emphatic that qualification remains within reach. 'It's all in our control, and coming up against Ireland, I think we just need to stay really positive, and once we're playing our best band of cricket, we should come out on top of the game at the end of the day,' she said. She also dismissed suggestions that the grandeur of Lord's had overwhelmed her side, noting that the venue represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some players.

West Indies will need to regroup quickly, with the Ireland fixture now serving as a knockout game in all but name. How they manage Taylor's fitness and restore fielding discipline will be critical to their semi-final prospects.