West Indies defeated South Africa in the second One Day International (ODI) by 48 runs held at Buffalo Park, East London, on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, the Carribean’s posted a challenging total of 335/8 on the board. The highlight of their innings was skipper Shai Hope, who smashed an unbeaten century. The right-handed batter scored 128 off 115 balls, including five fours and seven sixes.
All-rounder Rovman Powell contributed 46 runs off 49 balls with two fours and three sixes. Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowler for the hosts, taking three wickets for 57 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
In response, South Africa started their innings on a high note, with Quinton de Kock and captain Temba Bavuma adding 76 runs for the opening partnership. De Kock was dismissed for 48 runs off 26 balls, and his dismissal opened flood gates as the Proteas lost wickets regularly and were eventually bowled out for 287 in just 41.4 overs.
Bavuma stayed alive on his end and was the standout performer for South Africa, scoring a brilliant century. The right-handed batter scored 144 off 118 balls, with 11 fours and seven sixes, but he didn’t get enough support from other batters. Alzarri Joseph (3/53) and Akeal Hosein (3/59) picked up three wickets each for West Indies.
“Was a good game in the end. I think it was a pretty good game. Catches win matches, but we dropped a few to be in the situation we were in. Important to look forward. I thought it was a difficult wicket to start on. You have to play the situation. The pressure handling was the key. The way they were going, it was important for us to get wickets, It was important for us to finish well,” said Hope after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
An Amazing journey as an ODI batsman continues for Shai Hope. 14th century. 2nd one batting at number 4👏🏻👏🏻.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 18, 2023
3 Hundreds in India
2 Hundreds in Bangladesh
2 Hundreds in Ireland
2 Hundreds in West Indies
1 Hundred in South Africa
1 Hundred in Zimbabwe
1 Hundred in Pakistan
1 Hundred in Sri Lanka
1 Hundred in NetherlandsAverage over 50 in ODI with 12 away hundreds – This is Shai Hope. pic.twitter.com/0jzJ9pUVzF
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 18, 2023
Shai Hope walks into the number four spot in an ODI world XI. Such a class player
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 18, 2023
Shai Hope becomes the fastest to 10 hundreds in away ODIs.
Fastest by innings
37 – SHAI HOPE
64 – AB de Villiers
66 – Chris Gayle
67 – Virat Kohli
100 – Rohit Sharma#SAvWI— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) March 18, 2023
Trust in myself and believe in my skills – Shai Hope
Just love the way he speaks
What a knock!!! #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/5Vi5czsFER
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 18, 2023
Only one word to describe Shai Hope.
Unstoppable.
14 ODI hundreds and 12 of them have come away from home which is often a rarity.
Only his 11th time batting at 4 but it didn’t matter. Superb knock 🙌. #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/981WpKfXlC
— Nikhil Uttamchandani (@NikUttam) March 18, 2023
Shai Hope in ODI Cricket:
•Matches – 105
•Innings – 100
•Runs – 4436
•Average – 49.84
•Hundreds – 14
•Fifties – 21He scored ODI Hundreds in 9 different countries – He is one of the best ODI batter in the world. pic.twitter.com/MX9C2HE3yD
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 18, 2023
Most 100s in first 100 ODI Innings
17 – Babar Azam (93 Inns)
17 – Hashim Amla
14 – Shai Hope*
14 – David Warner
13 – Virat Kohli
13 – Shikhar Dhawan
13 – Q de Kock#SAvWI— Ram Garapati (@srk0804) March 18, 2023
Shai Hope is some player 👌
Easy on the eye,hits it crisp and always finding the gaps.
Reminds me of Rassie, not explosive players but they keep the scoreboard ticking over. #CricketTwitter#SAvsWI pic.twitter.com/ayITB9C82S
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0) March 18, 2023
14th ODI hundreds for Shai Hope.. pic.twitter.com/mfCP8xqCYo
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) March 18, 2023