West Indies captain Shai Hope produced one of the finest innings of his ODI career, smashing an unbeaten 109 off 69 balls against New Zealand in the rain-affected second ODI at Napier. His innings not only rescued West Indies from a pressure situation but also helped him achieve multiple major milestones.
The match was reduced to 34 overs per side due to rain. Batting first after losing the toss, the West Indies collapsed early, losing five wickets for just 86 runs. At a time when the team was on the brink of a below-par total, Hope played a true captain knock and completely changed the momentum.
Century No. 19 – Hope Equals Brian Lara
Hope outstanding innings included 13 fours and 4 sixes, with the most memorable shot being the six that brought up his 19th ODI century.
With this, he has now:
- Equalled Brian Lara’s tally of 19 ODI centuries
- Stands joint second for most ODI hundreds for West Indies
- Needs one more hundred to surpass Lara
- Is now behind only Chris Gayle (25 centuries) in the all-time West Indies list
Most ODI Centuries for West Indies
| Rank | Player | ODI Hundreds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 25 |
| 2 | Shai Hope | 19 |
| 2 | Brian Lara | 19 |
| 4 | Desmond Haynes | 17 |
| 5 | Greenidge / Richards / Chanderpaul | 11 |
Reached 6000 ODI Runs During the Innings
Hope brilliant performance also saw him complete 6000 ODI runs, a milestone he achieved in just 142 innings — one of the fastest for a West Indian player.
His calmness under pressure and ability to accelerate later in the innings make him one of the most consistent ODI batters in the world today.
Match Situation: From Crisis to Competitive Total
Before Hope took charge, the West Indies batting lineup struggled badly:
- 40/2 in early overs
- 86/5 by the 16th over
- Top order completely collapsed under New Zealand’s bowling
From there, Hope single-handedly lifted the innings and ensured the team posted a fighting total of 247/9 in 34 overs, which kept West Indies alive in the contest.
Despite West Indies losing early wickets, Shai Hope turned the match around with a masterclass innings. His:
- 19th ODI century
- First ODI hundred vs New Zealand
- 6000 ODI runs milestone
- Captain’s knock under pressure
…have made this performance one of the finest of his international career.
The West Indies now hope this momentum helps them push for a comeback in the ODI series.
