Follow UsWest Indies skipper Shai Hope might go down as the most underrated ODI batter in the Caribbean, and on November 19 (Wednesday), he showed why he’s one of the best out there currently.
After being inserted into bat during the second ODI, West Indies were in all sorts of trouble, at 62/3, but that’s where Hope gave them hope. The right-hander put on a batting masterclass, scripting his 19th ODI century, a 66-ball 100 to rescue the visitors from a tricky position.
Hope smashed 12 fours and four massive sixes as he got to his century, which levelled him with the legendary Brian Lara for the second-most ODI centuries for a West Indian batter. The right-hander is still six ODI centuries behind Chris Gayle’s all-time record of 25 ODI centuries.
However, his century was instrumental in West Indies getting to 247/9 in the rain-curtailed 34-over clash against New Zealand in Napier. During his century, Hope also became the second-quickest West Indian to the 6,000 ODI run-milestone, with a century now against all Test playing nations.
Most ODI hundreds for West Indies
Chris Gayle - 25
Shai Hope – 19*
Brian Lara - 19
Desmond Haynes - 17