• Shai Hope delivered a commanding unbeaten century to anchor West Indies' innings in the rain-shortened second ODI against New Zealand at Napier.

  • West Indies managed a formidable total of 247/9 in 34 overs despite losing early wickets.

Fans celebrate big as Shai Hope hammers a remarkable century for West Indies vs New Zealand in 2nd ODI
Fans celebrate big as Shai Hope hammers a remarkable century against New Zealand in 2nd ODI (Image source: X)

In the 2nd ODI clash between New Zealand and West Indies at McLean Park, Napier on Wednesday, the second ODI of the series unfolded under challenging weather conditions that shortened the game to 34 overs a side. New Zealand, led by captain Mitchell Santner, elected to field first, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase. The West Indies team, determined to bounce back after their narrow loss in the opening encounter, faced early challenges but found their backbone in their captain Shai Hope, who played a stunning innings to steer his side to a formidable total of 247/9 in the rain-affected match.

Shai Hope’s masterclass amidst early wickets against New Zealand

West Indies’ innings began on shaky ground with early wickets falling, including the dismissals of John Campbell and Keacy Carty, leaving the side reeling at 38 for 2 in just under 10 overs. However, Hope stood tall in the middle, showcasing his class and composure. Arriving at the crease with the scoreboard under pressure, Hope hammered a remarkable century, scoring an unbeaten 109 runs off 69 balls with an aggressive strike rate of nearly 158. His innings was studded with 13 fours and 4 sixes, highlighting his authoritative strokeplay and ability to dominate the New Zealand bowling attack led by Kyle Jamieson and Nathan Smith.

Hope’s innings was a mix of calculated aggression and resilience, particularly crucial as West Indies lost quick wickets in clusters, falling to 86 for 5 by the 16th over. With partnerships breaking down around him, Hope’s performance became the cornerstone of the West Indies innings, ensuring the side not only stabilized but accelerated, especially in the latter overs. Support from players like Justin Greaves and Romario Shepherd helped the total build up to a competitive 247 runs before the innings concluded at 34 overs due to rain restrictions.

West Indies post a formidable total in a rain-affected game

The 34-over format imposed a limitation on West Indies, but they adapted well to the conditions. Extras contributed 18 runs, adding crucial value to the scoreboard. Despite the tight bowling spells from New Zealand’s pace and spin options, including the economical Santner and Kyle Jamieson, the West Indies batters managed to keep the scoreboard ticking at a robust rate. The last 5 overs saw a flurry of runs with a run rate of 11.20, thanks to Hope’s late onslaught.

The total of 247/9 in a truncated match places significant pressure on New Zealand as they look to chase a target boosted by the explosive century from West Indies captain. The innings showcased strategic batting in difficult conditions, with Hope’s leadership evident not only in his runs but in guiding the innings through a rain-shortened contest. His century was his 19th ODI hundred, reflecting both his consistency and importance to the West Indies batting line-up.

With the innings break now underway, the spotlight shifts to New Zealand’s batting unit, who must overcome a spirited West Indies total and the challenge posed by their captain’s dominating innings. The match promises an exciting chase as the series stands at 1-0 in favour of the hosts, adding further intensity to this highly competitive bilateral ODI series. Fans across the globe celebrated Hope’s masterclass, affirming his reputation as one of the finest ODI batters of his generation.

Also READ: Daryl Mitchell’s gritty ton powers New Zealand to narrow win in 1st ODI against West Indies

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Also READ: John Campbell returns as West Indies name 15-member squad for the ODI series against New Zealand

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .