Hope hits superb century in first match as skipper, West Indies take 1-0 lead

South Africa vs. West Indies

Second One-Day International

Venue: Buffalo Park, East London

Result: West Indies won by 48 runs

Scorecard: https://bit.ly/2ndodisa23

Shai Hope made a magnificent 128 not out in his first One-Day International as West Indies captain, to lead the team to a fantastic victory on Saturday and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. After the first ODI was abandoned without a ball bowled on Thursday, the West Indies and the Proteas made up by putting on a proper show for the cricket fans in East London.

Hope won his first toss as the captain and decided to bat first.  Although he has been in magnificent form opening the batting for the West Indies in ODI cricket for the past few years, he chose to drop himself down the order to number 4, as Kyle Mayers and Brandon King (30 off 29) opened the batting for the Caribbean men.

They got off to a blistering start in the power play, taking a particular liking to the bowling of debutant Marco Jansen (1-77), before Mayers (36 from 26) was caught at deep mid-wicket.

Once Hope came to the crease after the fall of the second wicket, he was calm and composed but destructive throughout the 40.2 overs he spent at the crease, facing 115 balls and hitting five fours and seven sixes for his 14th century.

Hope was supported for long periods, firstly by the former captain, Nicholas Pooran (39 from 41 balls) and then by his vice-captain, Rovman Powell, who 46 runs (49 balls) at a time when it was crucial for the visitors to rebuild. The West Indies eventually amassed 335-8 in their allotted 50 overs – their highest score against the Proteas.

In the second half of the match, South Africa captain, Bavuma and Quinton de Kock (48 (26 balls) started well.  The latter blasted his way through the first eight overs, hitting five fours and three sixes in a threatening knock, before being trapped LBW by the golden arm of Mayers (1-40). Bavuma played a magnificent innings in front of a noisy East London crowd, eventually ending on 144 (118 balls), which included 11 fours and seven huge sixes.

Alzarri Joseph (3-53) eventually got his wicket in 42nd over with a bouncer that he edged behind to wicketkeeper Hope – who had four dismissals to add to is century. Eventually, the West Indies were able to bowl out South Africa for 287 to win the match by 48 runs.

Speaking to the media after the match, Hope said:

The third and final ODI will take place on Tuesday, 21 Marchat the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 10am local time (4am EasternCaribbean/3am Jamaica), with the West Indies only able to draw or win the series.