Since the top of the 2019 World Cup, Shai Hope has been the highest run-getter in ODI cricket with 1931 runs at a median of 52.18. But he has had a strike price of solely 74.90 throughout this era - the bottom amongst batters from Full Member nations with no less than 1000 runs.However, within the lead-up to the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe, Hope has slotted into a brand new function: an enforcer at No.4. The pattern measurement is pretty small - Hope has batted solely 11 occasions at No.4 in his ODI profession and solely twice this 12 months - however in March he hit an unbeaten 128 off 115 balls, with seven sixes and 5 fours, to take down South Africa's spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin. On the eve of West Indies' first bilateral collection towards UAE, captain Hope advised that he'll proceed to carry out an identical function for West Indies at No.4.

"It's a ticklish one, but I'm happy to bat wherever the team needs [me to]," Hope mentioned. "Going forward, I think No.4 would give us a bit more stability. In the past, we've had some tough time in the middle overs, especially against spin. But in this series, you may see a bit of a change; the batting line-up may be a bit different to what we're accustomed to. Yeah, I think No.4 is the position that I'll stay at for a period of time and hopefully that continues to work for West Indies."

Hope attributed his boundary-laden knock in East London to each situational consciousness and enchancment in his energy recreation. He had additionally displayed indicators of his energy throughout his BPL stint with Khulna Tigers and PSL stint with Lahore Qalandars. He batted at No.3 or No.4 in these tournaments as effectively. Hope encourages the remainder of West Indies' batting line-up to play with related freedom moderately than simply attempting to guard their wickets.

"I think the way how cricket is being played now, you got to pretty much keep up with the times and find ways to adapt and improve our game," Hope mentioned. "I'm trying to be a bit more aggressive in strokeplay and it's something I want to stem down to the team as well and want to focus on trying to find ways to score. I think in the past, we just tried to occupy the crease too much rather than executing our strengths because we're known for scoring and especially scoring boundaries."

Most of West Indies' senior gamers, together with Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell and Kyle Mayers, are on a break after the IPL, however Hope backed the children and fringe gamers to step up and work up some momentum forward of the World Cup qualifier, which is about to start on June 18.

"[Want to] continue development and try to get some progression from here in the UAE," Hope mentioned. "Just trying to see the fellas improve in whatever way we can. I know it's going to be a long and hard journey, but I just want to see some progression and that 1% improvement every single day."

Hope is enthused by the expansion of Brandon King who has batted on the prime in addition to within the center for West Indies within the current previous. King has been promoted to vice-captaincy for the UAE tour and could possibly be among the many contenders to develop into defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs' captain in CPL 2023.

"Firstly, I just love to see him bat - whether it's in the nets or whether it's in the middle," Hope mentioned of King. "He's one of those guys who I can relate to as well as a batter and as a person. So, I'm just hoping he can continue in this stead. He's been improving a lot, especially in his mindset towards the game, towards batting, and towards scoring runs. I must commend him for that.

"His function is much more vital now as a result of he is now opening the batting for us, so he has his work reduce out for him. I'm very certain he is able to doing the job for us and hope he can proceed on this approach."