Taylor, Matthews tons drub Ireland as WI clinch series

Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor scored centuries as West Indies cruised to a six-wicket win over Ireland in the second ODI at Bready, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

After opting to field, West Indies restricted Ireland to 241 for 7 before Matthews' 94-ball 100 and Stafanie Taylor's run-a-ball 104 not out ensured the target was overhauled with 11 overs to spare.

Ireland made a steady start through Sarah Forbes and Gaby Lewis before Deandra Dottin struck twice in her opening spell to remove both openers. Amy Hunter then rebuilt alongside Rebecca Stokell, the pair hitting half-centuries and adding 106 for the fourth wicket after Orla Prendergast had fallen to Matthews.

Both Hunter and Stokell fell in the space of nine deliveries to Matthews and Afy Fletcher respectively. Leah Paul chipped in with 32 from 30 balls at the death to lift Ireland to 241 for 7, while Matthews finished with 2 for 34 and Dottin claimed 2 for 15.

West Indies suffered an early setback when Realeanna Grimmond fell in the opening over, but Matthews quickly seized control. She dominated a 158-run stand with Taylor, reaching a 94-ball century, her second of the series, before falling to Louise Little with WI still needing 83.

Taylor, initially content to play second fiddle, accelerated after Matthews' dismissal, bringing up her fifty in 62 balls before completing her century off 104 balls with a six off Alana Dalzell. She remained unbeaten alongside Shemaine Campbelle as West Indies wrapped up victory in 39 overs.

Brief scores: Ireland 241/7 (Amy Hunter 67, Rebecca Stokell 57; Hayley Matthews 2-34, Deandra Dottin 2-15) lost to West Indies Women 245/4 in 39 overs (Stafanie Taylor 104*, Hayley Matthews 100; Aimee Maguire 2-52) by 6 wickets