West Indies captain Shai Hope delivered a masterclass innings, smashing an unbeaten 109 off just 69 balls against New Zealand in a rain-shortened ODI at Napier. The match, reduced to 34 overs per side, saw the Windies post a competitive 247 for 9, thanks to Hope's explosive hitting.
The innings started sluggishly for the West Indies, struggling to 130 for 6 in the 24th over on a pitch offering plenty of pace and movement. New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Smith (4-42) and Jamieson (3-44), capitalized on the conditions, making early inroads into the Windies batting lineup. However, Hope turned the game on its head, accelerating dramatically in the final overs.
The last ten overs witnessed a flurry of boundaries as the West Indies plundered 117 runs, finishing with an impressive run rate of 7.26. Hope's innings was a mix of power and finesse, showcasing his ability to adapt to different match situations.
Earlier, the match was delayed by nearly three hours due to rain and a wet outfield. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that initially seemed justified given the challenging batting conditions.
West Indies have included John Campbell and Johann Layne in the squad for this series. Matthew Forde also returns after recovering from injury. Brandon King has been omitted due to poor form. The West Indies are aiming to improve their chances of automatically qualifying for the 2027 ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup.
Key Moments:
- Shai Hope's unbeaten 109 off 69 balls.
- West Indies scoring 117 runs in the last 10 overs.
- New Zealand's early bowling dominance.
- Rain delay and reduced match length.
This series is a crucial opportunity for the West Indies to gain valuable ranking points.