Twitter Reactions: Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath star as Australia women thrash West Indies in first T20I

Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Gardner. (Photo Source: Jason McCawley – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

After the ODI and T20I series defeat at the hands of arch-rivals England, Australia were under some pressure to bounce back. Hence, the Alyssa Healy-led side wanted to start on a stronger note against the West Indies and they eventually managed to do so by registering a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the visiting team.

Notably, batting first, Hayley Matthews once again proved to be a force to reckon with. The skipper led by example and hit 99* runs off 74 deliveries as the Women in Maroon posted 147 runs in the first innings. The surface in North Sydney Oval was tailor-made for the batters to succeed and hence, the target was never enough, especially against the world champions Australia, who loves to play an attacking brand of cricket. 

The strike rate of some of the Windies players was below par and that played a massive role in them suffering a defeat at the end of the day.

When it came to the chase, Chinelle Henry picked up the wicket of dangerous Beth Mooney but skipper Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath faced no problems whatsoever to help the team get over the line. Notably, in the absence of Meg Lanning, Healy is currently leading the side and her 56 runs off just 29 deliveries eventually shaped the tone of the match.

McGrath soon joined the party and hit 60* runs off just 32 deliveries as Australia won the match by eight wickets and with more than six overs remaining. Hence, bowling remains a massive concern for the visiting team as well. Ahead of the second T20I, which is scheduled to be played on October 2, there’s a lot of room for improvement for West Indies.

Australia meanwhile will be much more relaxed following a comfortable win and will be hoping to get the job done in the remaining matches as well in order to bag the series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Job done for Australia!

Tahlia McGrath and Alyssa Healy post half-centuries as the hosts take the first T20I over the West Indies 🙌#AUSvWI scorecard: https://t.co/3FguEhIkII pic.twitter.com/3Gw5JpJMro

— Velli Mamta (@ParmarMamta03) October 1, 2023

Job done for Australia!

Tahlia McGrath and Alyssa Healy post half-centuries as the hosts take the first T20I over the West Indies 🙌#AUSvWI scorecard: https://t.co/3FguEhIkII pic.twitter.com/3Gw5JpJMro

— Velli Mamta (@ParmarMamta03) October 1, 2023

Yesterday hat-trick from Mitchell Starc against Netherlands in warm up match.

Today Alyssa Healy’s fiery knock of 56(29) against WI Women.

The couple are on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/trqysTg9zX

— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) October 1, 2023

Alyssa Healy the woman you are #AUSvWI

— The Stump Mic (@thestumpmics) October 1, 2023

Half century to Alyssa Healy from 25 balls. I’ll leave it to you to work out that strike rate. #AusvWI

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) October 1, 2023

6 player of the match awards in a row for Hayley Matthews in T20Is @MyNameIs_Hayley is the 1st player ever to achieve this feat#AUSvWI

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 1, 2023

Highest individual score in losing cause in Women’s T20Is

Bethany Mooney 117 vs England 2017
Chamari Athapaththu 113 vs Australia 2019
HAYLEY MATTHEWS 99* vs Australia Today#AUSvWI

— Usama 🇵🇰 (@Musama_96) October 1, 2023

Hayley Matthews’ brilliant knock went in vain due to her team. So sad 💔 #AUSvWI

— Usama 🇵🇰 (@Musama_96) October 1, 2023

Hayley Matthews scores 99*(74) today.
1 run short of the slowest T20I hundred.#AUSvWI

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 1, 2023

Hayley Matthews batted all 20 overs and is now bowling the 2nd over

Tremendous fitness on a very hot day in Sydney#AUSvWI

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 1, 2023

Tahlia McGrath in T20Is in Australia

42* (33)
44* (31)
91* (49)
14 (16)
14* (10)
60* (32)

Average 265, strike rate 154.97

🤯#AUSvWI

— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) October 1, 2023

Played Tahlia McGrath. That was some innings. 👏#AUSvWI

— PouLaMi 🧑‍💻 (@Crictopher17) October 1, 2023

A cracking drive for four more brings up the fifty for Tahlia McGrath off just 26 balls. Superb batting #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/kFYXCDnGPm

— Helvin Cardoz ❤️ (@CardozHelvin) October 1, 2023