[WATCH] West Indies Players In Tears As They Fail To Qualify For Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Despite Thrilling Chase

For the first time in 25 years, the West Indies women’s cricket team will not be part of the ODI World Cup. A team that once thrilled us with flair, power-hitting, and Caribbean charisma has fallen short by the narrowest of margins. And yes, it came down to a brutal decimal—0.01 in net run-rate.

Context of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be held in India from September 29 to October 26. Eight teams will compete for the ultimate prize in women’s cricket. While powerhouses like Australia and England made the cut with ease, the qualifiers held some high-voltage drama—and unfortunately, West Indies were at the center of it all for the wrong reasons.

What Went Wrong for the West Indies

Only eight teams would qualify. Six were already in, thanks to ICC Women’s Championship rankings. That left just two precious spots for grabs in the qualifiers. In cricket, it’s not just about winning—it’s about how you win. West Indies found themselves needing not just victories but big ones to beat Bangladesh on NRR.

Losing early to Scotland and Pakistan meant the West Indies had to win every other game and win them fast. The final game against Thailand became a high-speed sprint, not a marathon.

The Final Day Drama

West Indies faced a do-or-die chase against Thailand, needing to score 167 in just 10 overs to secure their place in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The target seemed almost unreal, but with no other way into the tournament, they had no choice but to go all out. The net run rate equation further complicated matters, requiring them to reach 167 in 10.1 overs or stretch to 172 in 11 overs to surpass Bangladesh. The situation felt like video-game cricket unfolding in real life, with every run carrying immense weight.

In their record-breaking attempt, West Indies blasted 156 runs in the first 10 overs, setting a new high for Powerplay scores in Women’s ODIs. Victory seemed within reach, but five balls later, they sealed the win without crossing the required threshold. In a heartbreaking twist, they missed World Cup qualification by just 0.01 on net run rate, falling agonizingly short despite their fearless approach.

 

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Hayley Matthews: A Captain’s Heroic Stand

Matthews went full beast mode—70 off 29 balls, starting with a jaw-dropping 21-ball fifty. Her approach screamed urgency, fire, and raw grit. She now holds the record for the second-fastest 50 in Women’s ODI cricket. But unfortunately, her heroics weren’t enough. Time and again, Matthews has carried this team. But cricket’s a team sport, and when support is missing, even legends can’t do it alone.

West Indies’ fate in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 qualifiers was sealed not in their final game, but in their costly loss to Scotland earlier in the tournament. Despite Hayley Matthews’ phenomenal all-round performance, where she scored an unbeaten century and took four wickets, the team fell short by 11 runs. While their captain led from the front, the rest of the squad failed to capitalize, with dropped catches, poor strike rotation, and inconsistent bowling proving to be their downfall.

Reactions and Aftermath

Missing out on the World Cup is devastating. For fans, players, and an entire region that loves its cricket, it felt like a punch to the gut. The cricketing community rallied behind Matthews but also called for changes in team preparation and domestic cricket investment.

In #CWC22, no ball from Deepti Sharma made sure WI made it to the semi final and India were out of the tournament. 3 years later the smallest possible difference has resulted into them not making the tournament in the same country where they were runners up in 2013. Cricket 💔 pic.twitter.com/GN4GHZbrD9

— Kalyani Mangale (@MangaleKalyani) April 19, 2025

She gave it everything 💔

Hayley Matthews blazed a stunning 70 off 29 – the 2nd-fastest fifty in women’s ODI history.
West Indies stormed to 156/3 in 10 overs, the highest ever powerplay score in women’s ODIs

Yet.. it wasn’t enough as their World Cup hopes slipped away#WWCQ pic.twitter.com/6uGGyF8ILQ

— FanCode (@FanCode) April 19, 2025

48(17). Last-ball six. But no ticket to the World Cup 😢

Chinelle Henry's 48 off 17 had the West Indies dreaming. Taylor’s final six had them believing. But it should’ve been a four and then a six.

Eventually, they fell short by 0.013 NRR 💔#WWCQ pic.twitter.com/WKNgwzh4IP

— FanCode (@FanCode) April 19, 2025

Hayley Matthews , Stafanie Taylor , Aaliah Alleyane and all other west Indies women's team in tears.

They failed to qualify for ODI World Cup just because they failed to win match in 10.4 overs. They won in 10.5 overs. HEARTBROKEN 💔 pic.twitter.com/hDajsWQQJg

— Satya Prakash (@_SatyaPrakash08) April 19, 2025

Teams That Qualified 2025 World Cup

Australia (Defending Champions), India (Hosts), England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh. Pakistan cruised through the qualifiers unbeaten. Bangladesh, helped by NRR, sealed a historic qualification.