Hayley Matthews ruled out of WCPL 2025
Chinelle Henry will lead the team in the injured allrounder's absence
ESPNcricinfo staff
07-Sep-2025
Hayley Matthews is the WCPL's leading run-scorer and wicket-taker • ICC/Getty Images
Barbados Royals have suffered a significant blow on the eve of their WCPL title defence, with a shoulder injury ruling out their captain Hayley Matthews for the entire season.
Allrounder Chinelle Henry will lead Royals in Matthews' absence.
Matthews is the WCPL's leading run-getter (424 at a strike rate of 113.06) and wicket-taker (23 with an economy rate of 5.79), and a key player in Royals' title-winning campaigns of 2023 and 2024. She was Player of the Match in the 2023 final against Guyana Amazon Warriors, scoring a 59-ball 82 and taking two wickets, and Player of the Series in the 2024 season.
Royals announced the news of Matthews' injury via X, formerly Twitter. They have not announced a replacement yet.
Our two-time WCPL Champion and skipper has been ruled out of the season with a shoulder injury.
— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) September 6, 2025
Wishing you a smooth recovery, Hayley. We can't wait to see you back stronger!pic.twitter.com/9T7xcmb0HW
Royals are set to play their first game of WCPL 2025 against Amazon Warriors on Sunday night.
Matthews had picked up a shoulder injury on the England tour and opted for surgery during the WBBL. She was the Melbourne Renegades' pre-draft pick but pulled out before the WBBL draft. She played the home series against South Africa and then the Hundred and was slated to undergo surgery after the WCPL.
NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Trishan Holder and Steffie Soogrim were among a select group of emerging West Indian players who tuned up for WCPL 2025 with a stint at the Chennai Super Kings Academy in Chennai last month.