WI vs USA T20 World Cup 2024 Shai Hope silences strike rate critics with bat and words

“Who doesn’t like to play shots, man?”

Even though Shai Hope is in good spirits, he is not impressed by questions about his strike rate. Perhaps the questions are appropriate, as this was only his fourth innings in 111 T20 matches in which he scored more than two per ball and lasted for at least 15 balls. Perhaps Hope’s is a little sensitive, as three of those four innings have happened in the last year alone. Since the start of the 2022 CPL, Hope has posted a strike rate of 137.77, which is a big improvement on the 117.24 he had before.

Hope’s 82 runs off 39 against the USA looked effortless and his innings also helped West Indies outperform the net run rate of other teams in their group, leaving them with an easier task of beating South Africa in their final Super Eight match rather than looking at the run rate as well.

At the subsequent press conference, Hope objected to the description of an “uncharacteristic innings” when asked if it was his best knock in a T20 match.

“I’d like to ask you that question back,” Hope said, without ever getting to whether that was actually his best shot. “Why do you think that’s out of character for him?”

It’s understandable that he doesn’t like not getting the credit he deserves for improving his game. Especially considering he’s scored 147.35 this year, even though that probably means he’s only scored one half-century. His numbers are all the more impressive because he plays a lot in the CPL, where he tends to score fewer points. His strike rate is about the same as his overall strike rate in the games he’s played over the past two years.

These are all signs of an improvement in the game and perhaps a better understanding of the format, but Hope said it has always been about hitting according to the situation.

“To be honest, it’s just the situation, man,” Hope said. “It’s what’s required. There are some games where the conditions can be challenging and you have to battle. You can’t just go out there and try to hit every ball for six or four. Someone has to stick around and play along. I don’t think people realise that.”

“We understand what is at stake here. We know that in this situation, run rate could play a role. So a strike rate of 105 was not the game today. So again, I just play the situation. That’s the only thing I pride myself on as a batsman and a cricketer.”

Hope also said they had not calculated exactly how quickly they would need to complete the task to overtake South Africa on net run rate. It was just a matter of making sure they finished early and letting natural instincts take over.

“Not quite,” said Hope, when asked if they hadn’t done the math at the start of the chase, which lasted – whatever that means – 14.4 overs. They finished much quicker in the end. “We didn’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, because that can sometimes have a negative effect.”

“Yes, we understood the importance of finishing the game quickly, but we didn’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. The aim was to play the powerplay as normally as possible, play away the bad balls, put pressure on the guys at the start of the over and things like that. Then we assessed the powerplay and then decided that we wanted to finish at a certain point.”

We may never know if Hope would have played at all had Kyle Mayers, the replacement for injured opener Brandon King, been available for selection. The only game Hope has played so far in this World Cup was at No. 4 in a game that was meaningless for them. He was tried out as a replacement for Roston Chase, the team’s only designated batter, who was expected to take on the role of anchor if needed.

Perhaps it was pure coincidence that Hope was given this one chance in a role that suits him much better than the midfield and he showed all the progress he has made. He flourished in the No.3 position in the last CPL. Starting in the Powerplay is perhaps the ideal role for him. West Indies had no vacancy there before and now with this one chance he has made an irresistible mark on his name.

There are bigger opponents waiting, but Hope has form on his side and he could go a long way to ensuring that his next chance – and it seems the next game is coming – will not be West Indies’ last at a home World Cup.