
Tags: Roston Chase, Shai Hope, West Indies V Australia
Much like he has done with distinction in the white-ball arena, Shai Hope is now hoping to bring the same level of credibility and consistency to West Indies’ Test setup as he returns to the red-ball format after a lengthy hiatus.
Though a return to Test cricket was never at the forefront of his ambitions, the 31-year-old has embraced the opportunity to re-establish himself in a reshaped side under new captain Roston Chase. Hope, who captains the Caribbean side in both ODIs and T20Is, was initially considered for the Test leadership role after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down but opted out of the process, as he cited the growing demands of being a three-format player.
Now back in maroon whites for the first time since 2021, Hope’s comeback also sees him donning the wicketkeeping gloves in their opening Test against Australia in Barbados. This represents only the third time he has taken on the role in Tests, despite being a regular behind the stumps in limited-overs formats.
"Representing the West Indies always gives me a lot of joy and pride. I think that was the main focus, just being able to represent the region and bring my impact on the game and, obviously, the transfer of that inspiration back into the next generation," Hope told ESPNcricinfo.
And the Barbadian insists that he is all in now that he is back in the mix.
"I'm happy to be back. It's not something I would say I was looking forward to in terms of, 'I have to play Test cricket again.' But if the opportunity came, I would always be willing to take it. I believe if I'm doing something, I'm committed to it," Hope declared.
"So if I decided to come back and play Test cricket, my main focus would be to give it my all. If success is there or not, the decision to leave me in or include me is up to the decision makers. But, yes, as long as I'm being committed to the task at hand, I think I'm going to give my all," he added.
With the ICC T20 World Cup looming early next year and qualification battles already underway for the 2027 ODI World Cup—after West Indies missed the 2023 edition—Hope’s workload will be immense, and he knows that balancing leadership, form, and physical fitness will be critical.
"The reality is the best or the most elite players don't play all throughout the year in all three formats. So there's some rest involved... there's some give or take. But I pride myself on being as fit and being as ready as possible for whatever is thrown at me. And that's what I'm going to try to do. If I'm playing all three formats, let's say for the next two, three, five, or 10 years, however long, I want to make sure I'm doing it the best I can," Hope shared.
Since his last Test appearance against Sri Lanka in 2021, Hope has featured in only four first-class matches—two each for Barbados and English county Sussex—and that raised questions about his readiness. However, selectors have shown faith in inserting him into a batting unit that also features recalled opener John Campbell and debutant Brandon King.
Hope first shot to international prominence with a historic pair of centuries at Headingley in 2017, as he became the first batsman to score two hundreds in the same first-class match at the venue. His 147 and 118 not out propelled West Indies to a rare away win over England.
That form briefly continued in Zimbabwe but faded over the next few years as his red-ball average dwindled, and he was eventually dropped. However, selectors have shown faith in inserting him into a batting unit that also features recalled opener John Campbell and debutant Brandon King.
"The amount of cricket I've been playing for the last couple of years, the workload has been pretty intense. It's just about managing that a little bit better. We understand the magnitude of games that we have over the next cycle. It's about seeing what's best for West Indies cricket. I guess they felt as though I would have been the perfect person to come in at this stage in my career and see what impact I can have. And that's what I'm trying to do," Hope ended.
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