A magnificent century by Shai Hope powered West Indies to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England in the first of three one-day international (ODI) cricket matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Set 326 for victory, captain Hope anchored the West Indies reply and then produced some savage hitting to guide his team home with seven balls remaining on Sunday.
Hope, who finished on 109 not out, smashed three sixes off the penultimate over off the hapless Sam Curran to reach three figures and seal the victory.
He later revealed how a tip from former World Cup-winning India captain MS Dhoni helped him plan out his innings in difficult scenarios.
“I had a chat with Dhoni some time back and he told me, ‘You always have more time at the crease than you think’,” Hope said in his post-match comments.
“It has stuck with me throughout the years I have been playing ODI cricket.”
It was West Indies’ highest-ever ODI run chase against England, surpassing the 286 they managed at Lord’s in 2004, and their second-highest against any opponents.
England were hoping to put their World Cup failure behind them and when West Indies slumped to 213-5 in the 38th over it appeared that they were in control.
But Hope, in partnership with the explosive Romario Shepherd, turned the match on its head as they put on 89 in 51 balls for the sixth wicket.
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