Shai Hope has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to score centuries against all eleven full member nations. This remarkable achievement was confirmed with his unbeaten 109 against New Zealand in Napier.
Historic Milestone in International Cricket
Hope’s century against New Zealand marks a milestone as he is now the only player to record ODI hundreds against 13 different teams. Prior to this, players like Mahela Jayawardene and Chris Gayle had scored centuries against 12 opponents. Hope previously made hundreds against nations such as the Netherlands and Nepal, amplifying his unique record.
Notable Statistics
- 10th country where Hope scored an ODI hundred: New Zealand.
- 19 ODI hundreds: Joint second-most for West Indies with Brian Lara.
- 142 innings needed for Hope to reach 6000 ODI runs: Second fastest among West Indies players.
- 6 hundreds as captain: Joint-most for a keeper-captain alongside MS Dhoni.
Shai Hope’s 19 ODI centuries place him just behind Chris Gayle, who holds the record with 25. Hope’s 142 innings to reach this milestone is the fifth quickest in ODI history, trailing behind names like Babar Azam and Virat Kohli.
Record Against Other Teams
In terms of individual performances, Hope stands out as a captain. He became the first West Indies captain to score six ODI hundreds, surpassing Brian Lara’s record of five. Notably, this achievement also emphasizes his dual role as a keeper, making him a significant presence in both batting and leadership.
New Zealand’s Performance Trends
New Zealand has maintained a strong performance at home, with eleven consecutive ODI series wins until recently losing to India in January 2019. Their series victory streak has seen them lose only two matches out of 31, primarily in dead rubber situations.
Before the recent century opening stand of 106 runs between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand had gone 73 innings without a century-opening partnership. This highlights a significant turnaround in their batting strategy and performance.
Shai Hope’s achievements not only reflect his skill and versatility as a batsman but also solidify his place among cricket’s elite. As he continues to break barriers, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing his journey in the world of cricket.
