Zimbabwe vs West Indies Women 3rd ODI Preview & Tips - Matthews to lead the Windies to series win over Zimbabwe

West Indies Women could not build on their commanding 99-run win over Zimbabwe in the first ODI as they slumped to a frustrating four-wicket loss. 

The two nations have only met twice in the ODI game, with both teams securing a single victory. 

Zimbabwe Women excelled with the ball in the second ODI against the West Indies as they bowled their opponents out for just 139. 

Nyasha Gwanzura starred with 4/33, with her haul of wickets seeing her account for the dangerous Hayley Matthews for just 26. On a day in which batting proved tough for the Windies, Zimbabwe were able to battle to a four-wicket win, although it was far from simple. Despite getting to 67 without loss, wickets began to tumble as the home side crumbled to 105/5. While they did rally, a target of around 160 might have proved too much for Zimbabwe. 

With a series win on the line, Zimbabwe will hope to take the momentum of victory in the second ODI with the ball. However, the Windies are a very good side that will not take their defeat lightly. While Zimbabwe were the better side across their second meeting, I do not see them repeating the trick in the final ODI. 

West Indies Women went from notching 299/6 in the first ODI to buckling under the pressure in the second ODI as they were bowled out for 139 in 39.3 overs. 

Hayley Matthews was removed for 26 runs with the score going from 56/1 before her departure to 101/8. Trundling to a score of just 139, the Windies always looked up against it. This was doubly true as the home side battled to 67 without loss. While the tourists did keep themselves in the game as they took wickets, their fightback came too late as they were beaten by four wickets. 

This defeat will be hugely frustrating for the tourists as they saw a four-game winning run in the ODI game brought to an end. This was also their first ever ODI loss to Zimbabwe, although the sample size of two matches between the pair is hardly big. 

Despite only scoring 26 runs in the second ODI, I am backing Matthews to impress with the bat as she leads her side to a comeback win.