Hope hits century as WI seal victory over Sri Lanka in first ODI

West Indies Shai Hope, who was the player of the match, led from the front with his 10th One Day International century to pilot the West Indies to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Antigua.

Hope was in the field for 92 overs and played an active part in the West Indies victory. He was the wicketkeeper for the game and also opened the batting, taking his team deep in their run chase before he was dismissed for 110 runs in the 43rd over.

In his innings he struck 12 boundaries and one six at a strike rate of just over 82.

Throughout his innings he looked solid and rotated the strike with his teammate Evin Lewis as they shared in a 143-run opening partnerships which laid the foundation for the victory.

Sri Lanka tried everything to dislodge the openers but nothing seemed to work.

Lewis also reached his half century before he was bowled by a quick yorker at 141kph which was perfectly pitched in the blockhole by Dushmantha Chameera.

Lewis scored 65 runs from 90 balls which included four boundaries and two sixes.

It was smooth sailing by the time Hope was dismissed also by Chameera and the score was 215 in the 43rd over. Darren Bravo and Jason Mohammed were then left to safely guide the team to an emphatic victory as they reached 236/2 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 232 all out.

Hope was patient throughout his innings and said he trusted his ability, while ensuring that Sri Lanka’s leg spinner Hasaranga – who has so much success in the T20 – did not do so in this match.

Hope did not play for the West Indies in Bangladesh and was dropped for the tour of New Zealand after the England tour.

But in the ODI format he has an outstanding record as he averages over 50 runs.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard knows it and said after the game that “For us in white-ball cricket, Hope is the guy… he’s been fantastic.”

Before the match assistant coach Roddy Estwick said they needed someone in the top four to bat deep and they got just that with Hope going down to the 43rd over.

Earlier when Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat it appeared that the West Indies msay have to chase 300 as the opening pair reached 100 without loss in the 19th over. But a brilliant caught and bowled by Pollard started the wickets for the West Indies, followed by a wicket via the route of obstructing the field.

Gunathilaka was given out for obstructing the field after West Indian captain Kieron Pollard appealed. A short delivery was dropped by the feet by Gunathilaka but Pathum Nissanka, on debut, began racing down the pitch for a single. However Pollard who was the bowler also raced to collect the ball as he saw a runout opportunity but was met by Gunathilaka who when he stepped back had knocked the ball backwards. Pollard who felt it impeded his attempt then appealed and the third umpire subsequently gave him out.

But this was not the only story of the game as the West Indies bowlers were once again brilliant as they bowled out Sri Lanka for 232 runs after the visitors looked on course for a total of 300.

Jason Holder finished with impressive figures of 2/39 off this 10 overs, while the slow bowling of Jason Mohammed saw him picking up 2/12 off his four overs. Pollard’s pace off the ball was also crucial as he finished with 1/15 off his five overs.

The second ODI is slated for tomorrow at the same venue from 9:30 am (CG)