BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados’ captain Shai Hope transferred his rich vein of form to the One-Day segment of the Regional Under-19 Championship when he unfurled a sparkling unbeaten century to set up his side’s 78-run win over ICC Americas here yesterday.
Playing at the historic Spartan Club in Queen’s Park, Hope’s 139 carried Barbados to a formidable 266 for seven from their 50 overs.
In reply, ICC Americas were all out for 188 from 45.4 overs, with Steven Taylor hammering a splendid run-a-ball 75.
Off-spinner Chaim Holder claimed three for 29 from his ten overs while medium pacer Craig St Hill finished with two for 19.
Choosing to bat, Hope entered the fray in the second over when St. Hill was caught off Salman Ahmad for one.
He piloted a fluent second-wicket partnership of 113 with Shane Moseley who struck a disciplined 55 which included eight boundaries before he was caught at the wicket off Mainderjit Aulakh (3-39).
Hope, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 70 balls with two fours and one six. He went into the nineties with a drive over mid-off for four off Ahmad and reached his three figure landmark with a steer to third-man.
It came from 119 deliveries and was decorated with eight fours in a shade less than three hours.
The last ten overs produced 82 runs as Hope scored at a fast pace, striking a six over extra-cover and several fours mainly through the off-side.
Overall, he faced 144 deliveries, laced with 11 fours and three sixes.
In ICC Americas’ response, Taylor added 46 for the first wicket with Cameron Mizra (9) before fast bowler Akeem Jordan bowled Mizra in the 12th over.
Taylor linked up with Nitish Kumar (26) and they realized 68 for the second-wicket until Taylor was caught behind, trying to run a St. Hill delivery to third-man.
He lashed nine fours and a six over mid-wicket.
Once he fell just before the half-way stage, there was a steady decline including four run outs as ICC Americas lost nine wickets for 74 runs in 21.5 overs.
