The Warriors Women win the 2023 FairBreak Invitational Tournament thanks to Hayley Matthews’s all-around performance.

On Sunday, April 16, 2023, the final of the FairBreak Invitational Tournament 2023 was contested at the Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong. It was the second edition of the ICC-sanctioned Twenty20 tournament. Warriors Women and Falcons Women squared off in the championship match of the tournament, which featured six teams comprised of 90 participants from 28 countries.

Falcons, the runners-up in the previous tournament, gained the toss and invited the table leaders, Warriors, to bat first. In the third over of the innings, they lost their opening batter, Phoebe Litchfield. Hayley Matthews, on the other hand, kept the run rate in control from the other end throughout the innings.

Matthews then proceeded to score 123 off 52 balls, smashing 11 fours and nine sixes. Following her dismissal in the 15th over, Kathryn Bryce’s sensational innings of 52* off 20 deliveries with eight fours and two sixes advanced the innings. She was a part of an uninterrupted 75-run partnership with captain Sindhu Sriharsha (25* off 18) over the course of 35 balls.

In their allotted 20 overs, the Warriors amassed an enormous total of 230/4 thanks to their brilliant batting. Falcons’ best bowler was Anju Gurung, who captured 2 for 43 in four overs.

In 26 deliveries, Chamari Athapaththu and Danni Wyatt added 45 runs for the first wicket for the Falcons in their reply. However, both starters were unable to capitalize on their early opportunities and were sent off during the power play.

Kathryn Bryce and Hayley Matthews took a combined five wickets.
Captain Suzie Bates and Theertha Satish attempted to advance the innings with a 44-run partnership, but they were unable to maintain the requisite run rate, resulting in their dismissal. After the loss of their wickets, the Falcons experienced a dramatic collapse, going from 106/4 after 13.3 overs to 137/8 at the end of their innings.

Falcons’ best performer was Kathryn Bryce, who recorded 3/16 in four overs, while Hayley Matthews also captured two wickets while conceding 14 runs in three overs. As a consequence, Warriors were crowned champions of the second edition of the tournament after winning the final by 94 runs. Hayley Matthews was awarded Player of the Match for her gallant efforts with the bat and the ball, which were well-deserved.