The West Indies captain scored an unbeaten 109 off just 83 deliveries, his 16th and fastest ODI hundred. At 213-5 in the 39th over, West Indies were well behind the asking rate before Romario Shepherd (48 off 28) and Hope put on 89 from 51 balls. Shepherd was trapped in front by Gus Atkinson with 24 more needed to win off the final 17 balls.

Hope ensured that the game was done and dusted before the final over, hitting 18 off four Sam Curran deliveries in the 49th over to seal victory for the hosts. It was a difficult day at the office for Sam Curran with the ball, whose spell of 0-98 is the most expensive ever by an English bowler in a men’s ODI.

Hope’s hundred extended his supreme run of form in ODI cricket. From 15 ODIs in 2023, Hope has 741 runs at an average of 74.10 and having never previously struck at above 80 in a calendar year in ODI cricket, the West Indies skipper strikes at more than 100 in 2023.

The change in Hope’s scoring rate directly corresponds with a change in batting position. Prior to this year, Hope had predominantly opened the batting in ODIs. Now, he bats at No. 4 with talented youngster Alick Athanaze opening with Brandon King in the opening ODI of the England series in Antigua.

Hope hit seven sixes in total against England, the joint most he has struck in a single ODI. The only other instance he has hit more than four in a single ODI innings was the seven he struck in his hundred against South Africa earlier this year.

You can watch Shai Hope hit Sam Curran for three sixes in four balls below:

For viewers in India: