Hope warms up for SL assignment with domestic hundred

West Indies batting star Shai Hope.
West Indies batting star Shai Hope.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies batting star Shai Hope continued his preparation for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, lashing a stroke-filled hundred in the domestic Twenty20 Championship here Sunday.

Turning out for local club Pickwick against schools outfit Foundation, the right-hander carved out 104 off 64 deliveries at the Friendship ground, to help his side up to 190 for three off 20 overs.

Hope smashed 10 fours and seven sixes, adding 107 for the third wicket with Rohan Ryan whose 41 included four sixes and a four.

In reply, Foundation were 38 without loss after six overs when rain ended play prematurely, handing Pickwick victory by seven runs under Duckworth/Lewis.

On Saturday, Hope was also in prime form, scoring 64 for Pickwick against the Ministry of Transport and Works at his home ground Foursquare Oval, in another winning effort.

The 24-year-old Hope has become a key member of the Windies side over the last year, and is expected to play a pivotal role when Sri Lanka visit the Caribbean for three Tests in June.

Earlier this month, Hope was honoured as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers-of-the-Year for his amazing feat of scoring a hundred in both innings of the second Test against England at Headingley last August.

Last week, he was honoured yet again when he received the Barbados Cricket Association President’s Award.