West Indies batsman Shai Hope became the hero of his country after his twin centuries in the Headingley Test against England back in 2017. But in the ongoing England-West Indies Tests series he hasn't quite got into his rhythm.
After the first two Tests, Shai Hope has just managed 57 runs from four innings:–25, 7, 16 and 9 and averages only 14.25. His highest score since Headingley heroics in the Windies whites has been a modest 67 and it came against Bangladesh nearly two years ago. In this period, he has averaged a dismal 23.08 in the Test format with a paltry aggregate of 808 runs in 37 innings. There has never been any doubt about Hope’s talent and potential as a batsman.
In ODI cricket, Hope plays a role of a classic anchor and he plays it superbly. In a team of power hitters , Hope is the glue which holds the batting line-up together. In the last two years, only Kohli, Rohit, Du Plessis and Taylor have averaged more than him in ODIs. In that time, Hope is dismissed only every 80 balls he faces, only Kohli gets out more rarely.
Even legendary fast-bowler Curtly Ambrose feels West Indies run the risk of destroying Shai Hope. Let's see what the legend said in his interview with Sky Sports:- "Something has gone terribly wrong for him since those two centuries at Headingley - he hasn't done anything really in Test cricket since then," Ambrose told Sky Sports. "He is a much better player than what he is showing at the moment and is obviously very low on confidence. "Maybe in the next game we should rest him so he can regain some confidence. If you keep playing him and he keeps failing, it will only get worse. You are going to destroy him if it continues like that," he added. "I like Hope a lot. I think he is a fantastic player but this is not doing his confidence any good. Are West Indies going to go with him again? It's a tough call. "I am inclined to give him another go but by bringing someone else in he could get totally away from the game for a little bit and get his mind together," he said.
In my personal opinion he is low on confidence and some technical issues. As you can see below, he is covering his stumps far more against James Anderson in that Headingley Test, compared to his set-up against the same bowler in this series.
I think he should be dropped for the 3rd Test as West Indies should give him a break so that he can regain his confidence. Now only Hope has to decide what trajectory he wants to take his career. It depends on what trajectory he wants to take his career. CPL- If he wants to improve his short format game ahead of T20 World Cup next year. County- If he wants to get red-ball experience ahead of domestic first class season in Caribbean and ideally regain some Test form.
Jatin Panwar
Content Writer
@DayLightMedia
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