West Indies captain Shai Hope hit his 17th ODI century as the hosts set a big total against England in the second ODI of the series.

Trailing the three-match ODI series by 1-0, England captain Liam Livingstone chose to field first in the second ODI at Antigua. West Indies scored 328/6 in 50 overs. 

Although both the openers were dismissed in single digits [Brandon King (7) and Evin Lewis (4)], Keacy Carty, captain Shai Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford set up the hosts' strong standing in the game. 

Carty and Hope had a 143-run partnership for the third wicket, and Hope had a quick-fire 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Rutherford. Carty scored 71 off 77 balls (five fours and one six), while Rutherford scored 54 off 36 balls (four fours and three sixes).

Shai Hope completed his century in 118 balls

Captain Hope completed his fifty runs in 66 balls and reached the three-figure mark in 118 balls. With the help of eight fours and four sixes, Hope scored 117 off 127 balls before Jofra Archer dismissed him in the 47th over. 

Shimron Hetmyer (24 off 11 balls), Roston Chase (20 not out off 22 balls), and Matthew Forde (23 not out off 11 balls) had some useful cameos that helped the hosts set up a target of 329 runs. 

In the final over of the innings, Forde hit three consecutive sixes to Saqib Mahmood.   

Here are some crucial stats on Shai Hope’s batting in the match. 

Shai Hope scored his second ODI century at home as a West Indies captain.

• While Hope is the second West Indies ODI captain to score a century at home, he equalled the record for most home centuries by a West Indies ODI captain with Brian Lara, as both have scored two centuries each as ODI captains.  
  

It was Hope’s fourth century as an ODI captain.

• Hope became the third Caribbean ODI captain to hit at least four centuries. 

Hope completed 1000 ODI runs as a captain. 

• Hope became the eighth West Indies ODI captain to score 1000+ runs. 

Hope recorded his 17th ODI century.

• Hope equalled the third-most ODI centuries record by a West Indies cricketer.
  

The West Indies cricket team has faced a significant setback as veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 due to an injury. This unexpected development has led to the inclusion of left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy as his replacement.

Jason Holder’s Injury

Jason Holder, the experienced stalwart of the West Indies team, sustained an injury during the County Championship 2024. The injury was severe enough to require a substantial recovery period, effectively ruling him out of participating in the T20 World Cup. Holder’s absence is a considerable loss for the West Indies, given his experience and influence on the field.

See Also: Watch: “Jeetne Ke Baad Cake Khayenge”, Rohit Sharma’s heart-touching chat with Pant ahead of T20 World Cup departure

Obed McCoy: The Replacement

Obed McCoy, who steps in to replace Holder, is a promising left-arm fast bowler. McCoy’s cricketing journey has been impressive, marked by his ability to deliver under pressure. Recently, he was the leading wicket-taker during the West Indies A’s tour to Nepal, where he grabbed eight wickets in five matches. His selection is a testament to his growing prowess and potential to shine internationally.

Desmond Haynes’ Statement

Desmond Haynes, the Lead Selector for West Indies, expressed his thoughts on Holder’s injury and McCoy’s selection. “Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon,” Haynes said. He also expressed confidence in McCoy’s abilities, highlighting his remarkable skill and promise.

Reserve Players

In preparation for further contingencies, West Indies has named five reserve players: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher. Each player brings unique skills and has proven their capabilities in various game formats. Their readiness to step in if needed adds depth to the squad.

Coach Daren Sammy’s Views

Daren Sammy, the head coach and two-time T20 World Cup winner, expressed his confidence in the team and the reserves. “We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks. Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various game formats, but certainly T20. Each of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise,” Sammy stated.

West Indies Updated Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. Reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher