[Watch] Shai Hope Smashes Consecutive Sixes To Seal Dramatic Win Over England
Shai Hope led from the front (Twitter)
West Indies skipper, Shai Hope led his team to a stunning victory in the first One Day International (ODI) against England on Sunday. The match played at Antigua saw the Windies chase a formidable target of 326, set by England. Hope's exceptional performance, highlighted by a match-winning century, was the cornerstone of the West Indies' pursuit.
Hope's twin sixes off Curran clinch thrilling win for West Indies
The narrative of the game took a gripping turn as the Windies faced a massive target of 326. With the odds stacked against them, it was Hope who emerged as the linchpin of the West Indian innings. His unbeaten knock of 109 runs off just 83 balls, filled with a flurry of four fours and seven sixes ensured that the home team crossed the line with six wickets to spare.
The climax of Hope's innings unfurled in the dramatic 49th over. With 12 runs needed off the last 9 balls, England's Sam Curran bowled a half-volley on the off-stump.
In a moment that summed his brilliance, Hope dispatched the ball over the deep mid-wicket for a six, also bringing up his century. Not settling there, he repeated his heroics on the next delivery, sealing the match with another magnificent six in the same region.
This emphatic six-wicket victory not only gave the Windies a 1-0 lead in the series but also marked a significant statement, especially considering the team's absence from the World Cup 2023, where England had finished a disappointing seventh.
As the teams gear up for the second ODI on December 6 at the same venue, England faces the challenge of levelling the series while the Windies will aim to clinch an unassailable lead.
 "Jatin")
