Barbados set up Aussie showdown after beating Pakistan

Barbados leaned heavily on their West Indies representatives as they beat Pakistan by 15 runs in their Commonwealth Games opener to set up a pivotal clash with Australia.

The Hayley Matthews-led side, who were playing their first sanctioned international match, posted 4-144 after being sent in to bat, with Matthews hitting 51 and Kycia Knight posting an unbeaten 62 from 56 balls.

In response Pakistan were held to 6-129 with Nida Dar's unbeaten 50 from 31 balls the only significant score of note as the Pakistan batters struggled to get going.

The win puts Barbados at the top of Group A ahead of Australia on net run rate after the World Cup winning Aussies struggled against India and required a monumental comeback to secure a nervy three-wicket win.

The Commonwealth Games rules don't allow for a Caribbean-wide West Indies team, but Barbados boast seven players with international experience with the Windies, including skipper Matthews and Deandra Dottin.

Image Id: 94E2CD9AB28B499885880F5439063013 Image Caption: Kycia Knight carved nine boundaries in her 56-ball 62no // Getty

Barbados qualified for the event by way of winning the region's most recent domestic T20 tournament in 2019, with Covid preventing the tournament being held since.

Barbados had a shaky start when Dottin was dismissed in the first over trying to clear the infield, but Matthews and Knight knuckled down for a 107-run stand.

"I think when we were out playing our domestic season, what we tried to focus on really hard as the top four core batting group was batting really deep in the innings and that showed today," Matthews said.

"Obviously, we wouldn't necessarily have as much depth as we usually would and experience as we usually would within a West Indies team.

"So backing all the other players 100 per cent, we know that our top four or five batters are our main ones that are looking to score most of the runs, and it was really good that we were able to spend some time at the crease and bat really deep today."

Pakistan's run chase was on the back foot immediately after Shamilia Connell had Iram Javed caught behind by 'keeper Knight off the first ball of the innings, and Omaima Sohail was run out in bizarre scenes.

Barbados went up for an LBW appeal, which was turned down, but Matthews then threw down the stumps with Sohail well out of her ground.

Barbados elected to use a referral on the lbw, which was not out, costing them a review, before the run out was checked.

A second run-out followed, Matthews was the pick of the bowlers with 1-13 from her four overs, while Connell, Aaliya Alleyne and Dottin each collected a wicket apiece.

Despite the island nation's West Indies stars leading the way, Matthews said the less experienced players would benefit greatly from the experience.

"I think what's really good as well is our young players, they really take in as much information as they can, try to learn as much as possible and that's exactly what you want in a group," Matthews said.

Image Id: 023C665BC0CF45C988543DE353E220C1 Image Caption: Hayley Matthews and 'keeper Kycia Knight celebrate a wicket off the first ball of the innings // Getty

"I keep saying we have a really tight group with a lot of experience and a lot of a youth mix."

Barbados play Australia on Sunday (3am AEST Monday) after India meet Pakistan (8pm Sunday AEST). The Island nation will meet India in their final Group A match, and a win in either game should see them through to the semi-final stage.

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia beat India by three wickets

July 31: Australia v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3: Australia v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium