Sometimes in sports, a single performance is so monumental that it overshadows the result of the game itself. That's exactly what happened during the second ODI between the West Indies and New Zealand in Napier. While the West Indies ultimately lost the match, their captain, Shai Hope, etched his name into the annals of cricket history with a breathtaking century that broke records left and right.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Shai Hope becomes the first player ever to score international centuries against all 12 Test-playing nations.
- ✓ He scored a blazing 109 not out off just 69 balls against New Zealand in Napier.
- ✓ His 19th ODI century puts him level with the legendary Brian Lara for the second-most centuries for the West Indies.
- ✓ In the same match, Hope crossed the 6,000 ODI runs milestone, becoming the second-fastest West Indian to do so.
- ✓ He also equaled MS Dhoni's record for the most ODI centuries as a wicketkeeper-captain (6).
A Blistering Century That Shook the Record Books
Coming in to bat at number four, Hope played an absolute blinder of an innings. He was a man on a mission, completely dismantling the New Zealand bowling attack. He finished with an incredible unbeaten 109 runs from just 69 deliveries, a knock that included a staggering 13 fours and four massive sixes. It was pure, unadulterated power hitting combined with classic elegance.
This wasn't just any hundred; it was his 19th in ODI cricket. That number is hugely significant because it placed him alongside one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Brian Lara. Both now share the distinction of having the second-most ODI centuries for the West Indies. The only person ahead of them? The 'Universe Boss' himself, Chris Gayle, who sits comfortably at the top with 25 centuries.
The Unprecedented Feat: A Class of His Own
Here's where the story gets truly historic. With this century against New Zealand, Shai Hope achieved something no other cricketer has ever managed to do. He became the very first player in the history of international cricket to score a century against all 12 Test-playing nations. Think about that for a moment. This is a record that will be remembered for decades to come, a testament not just to talent, but to incredible consistency, perseverance, and class.
To put this into perspective, even the titans of the game couldn't claim this feat. The great Rahul Dravid was the first to score Test centuries in all 10 Test-playing nations of his era, and Sachin Tendulkar scored Test tons against nine. But their careers preceded the inclusion of Afghanistan and Ireland as Test nations. What Hope has done, across all formats, is a truly unique and modern achievement that sets him apart.
Digging Deeper into Global Dominance
The records don't stop there. Hope has now scored ODI centuries against 12 different teams, which is a record in itself, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Chris Gayle who are all tied at 11. If you include non-Test playing nations, Hope's tally goes up to 13 teams, as he has also scored hundreds against the Netherlands and Nepal. This just goes to show his adaptability against different bowling attacks around the world.
Furthermore, New Zealand became the 10th different country where Hope has scored a century. Only two players in history have scored tons in more countries: Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar, both with 12. Hope is now in the elite company of Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, who have also scored centuries in 10 different nations. He is a true globetrotter of the game.
Milestones Kept Tumbling in Napier
As if rewriting the history books wasn't enough, Hope also crossed a significant personal milestone during his spectacular innings. He surpassed 6,000 runs in ODI cricket. He achieved this in his 142nd innings, making him the second-fastest West Indian batsman to reach this landmark. The only one to do it faster? The legendary master blaster, Sir Viv Richards, who did it in an astonishing 141 innings. Being just one inning behind a figure like Sir Viv speaks volumes about Hope’s caliber.
His overall ODI stats are simply phenomenal. Across 147 matches and 142 innings, he has amassed 6,097 runs with an impressive average of 50.80. This includes his 19 centuries and 30 half-centuries. An average above 50 in ODI cricket is the benchmark for elite players, and Hope has maintained that standard consistently. Adding another feather to his cap, this was also his sixth ODI hundred as a wicketkeeper-captain, putting him on par with the iconic MS Dhoni for the most centuries in this dual role.
A Bittersweet Symphony
Despite Hope's heroic and record-shattering performance, which rightfully earned him the Player of the Match award, it ended on a bittersweet note. His brilliant knock helped the West Indies post a competitive total of 247/9 in a rain-affected 34-over match. However, it just wasn't enough to secure a victory for his team.
New Zealand put up a determined chase, led by strong performances from Devon Conway, who scored a composed 90 off 84 balls, and Rachin Ravindra, who added a quickfire 56 from 46 balls. Their efforts laid a solid foundation, which was then built upon by Tom Latham (39) and captain Mitchell Santner (34), who saw their team home with five wickets to spare. The win gave New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Conclusion
While the scoreboard showed a loss for the West Indies, the day undoubtedly belonged to Shai Hope. He didn't just play a great innings; he carved out a unique piece of history for himself, achieving a record of global consistency that no one before him ever had. By equaling Lara's century count and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Sir Viv Richards and MS Dhoni in other records, Hope cemented his status as one of the modern-day greats of ODI cricket. It was a powerful reminder that even in defeat, individual brilliance can create moments that transcend the game itself.
