'Feels Great': Shai Hope On Equaling Vivian Richards' Historic Record

image-lpqyrnyiShai Hope smacked England with a ton in 1st ODI (AP Photo)

The first One-Day International between hosts West Indies and England at Antigua witnessed a high-scoring thriller, where Shai Hope and Co. came victorious. Windies skipper Hope himself played a memorable knock, that helped the home side clinch the match by four wickets and thus take a 1-0 lead in the three ODI series.

Hope during the course of the match, slammed his 16th ODI century, which was his quickest in the format, while also becoming the 11th West Indian batter to surpass the 5,000-run mark.

With this feat, Hope levelled former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards' record of fastest 5,000 ODI runs for the nation, which is also the joint third-fastest in international cricket, which also includes Virat Kohli.

As quoted by India Today, speaking about drawing level with Richards, Hope expressed his joy over matching the legend and also contributing to the team's win.


Here's what Hope said

“It feels great (to equal Viv Richards). As I said, it's happy that I contributed to a win. I am so happy that we got over the line. And then the stats, as I said, is a byproduct. Pleasing, nevertheless."

All three players — Hope, Richards and Kohli — have taken 114 innings to reach this landmark, behind Babar Azam (97) and Hashim Amla (101).

Hope and West Indies will be in action against England in the second ODI on December 6, Thursday.