Hope’s 82 sends West Indies to big World Cup win over USA – ARN News Center

Shai Hope hit 82 at six studs not out from 39 deliveries as West Indies revived their Super Eight campaign with a thumping nine-wicket win over co-hosts the United States at the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday.

West Indies needed a win and a big increase in their net run rate after a loss to England in their opening match for the Super Eight. West Indies achieved both at Kensington Oval to move into second place in Group 2 behind unbeaten South Africa, their next opponents.

After a brief spell of rain delayed the toss but not the start in a packed stadium, Barbadian off-spinner Roston Chase took 3-19 and pace bowler Andre Russell took 3-31 as the Americans were bowled out for 128.

West Indies improved the paltry total in 10.5 overs after Hope smashed eight sixes and four boundaries, ably assisted by Nicholas Pooran who stroked 27 from 12 balls.

“The boys have to be given credit. We wanted to achieve a goal and we achieved that,” said West Indies skipper Rovman Powell, who was already looking forward to the opportunity to return to Bridgetown for the final.

“Kensington holds a special memory for us. It’s a mecca for cricket in the Caribbean… hopefully we can be here again on the 29th in a special place to play cricket.”

Andries Gous helped the Americans get off to a lively start, with fast bowlers Obed McCoy and Alzarri Joseph conceding 12 and 15 respectively in their opening overs.

Gous survived a missed chance off Joseph, but was caught by Hope by the same bowler for 29, with three fours and a six.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein exerted more control at the other end with the new ball, conceding just 13 from his first three overs.

Chase dealt his team an important blow by bowling dangerous American skipper Aaron Jones for 11, and at halfway the Americans were struggling at 69-4.

Hope immediately took to the attack for the West Indies, stroking the ball to all parts of the field to reach his half-century in 28 balls with four sixes and four boundaries as the American fielders chased the ball in vain across the ground.

The Barbadian crowd received him enthusiastically as the teams left the field and Hope was understandably delighted.

“It’s a great feeling to do it at home, with my parents and friends watching,” he said.

“This is my favorite place to play cricket. It is our destiny and our goal to win the World Cup.”

The Americans felt like they were 50 runs short in their innings after being put in to bat, but Jones was unwilling to admit that their fairytale run at the tournament was over.

“A tough night to be honest with the boys,” Jones said.

“We weren’t the best tonight, that’s how it goes sometimes. We’ll go back to the drawing board on Sunday and come down hard against England.”

The United States remain in Barbados for their final Super Eight match, while the West Indies head to Antigua for their clash against the Proteas later on Sunday.