Barbados: Though a return to Test cricket wasn’t a primary goal, Shai Hope is now fully committed to making an impact in a new era for the West Indies, playing under newly appointed captain Roston Chase. Hope, who currently leads the West Indies in both white-ball formats, had previously declined an offer to be interviewed for the Test captaincy, citing the demanding workload of a three-format player. This heavy schedule was also a key discussion point in his conversations with head coach Daren Sammy regarding his Test comeback, his first since 2021.
Adding another layer to his recall, Hope will take on wicketkeeping duties for the opening match against Australia in Barbados. This will be only his third Test starting as the designated keeper, despite being a regular in the role for limited-overs cricket.
“Representing West Indies, they always give me a lot of joy and pride,” Hope told ESPNcricinfo. He emphasized his main focus is “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 further stated, “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.”
Hope, known for his commitment, affirmed his dedication: “I believe if I’m doing something, I’m committed to it. So if I decided to come back and play Test cricket, my main focus would be to give it my all.” He acknowledged that selection decisions rest with the management, but reiterated his pledge to “give my all” as long as he’s committed to the task.
With a T20 World Cup early next year and the ongoing build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup (where the West Indies are battling for direct qualification after missing the 2023 edition), Hope faces considerable pressure. He recognizes that elite players often manage their workload across formats but prides himself on maintaining peak fitness. “I want to make sure I’m doing it the best I can,” he said regarding playing all three formats for the foreseeable future. He believes his recall is due to the team’s assessment that he can provide the “perfect impact at this stage in my career.”
Hope famously announced his arrival in Test cricket with twin centuries against England at Headingley in 2017, leading West Indies to victory, followed by a 62 at Lord’s. This golden two-month period also saw him score 90 against Zimbabwe. However, only two more half-centuries followed over the next four years before he was dropped after the Sri Lanka series in 2021. Since then, he has played only four first-class matches (two for Barbados and two for Sussex).
