Shai Hope, Rovman Powell named WI's white-ball captains: Key stats
Shai Hope and Rovman Powell have been named the captain of West Indies' ODI and T20I teams, respectively. The West Indies Cricket Board announced the same on Thursday (February 16). Notably, the duo takes over from Nicholas Pooran, who resigned as white-ball captain after last year's T20 World Cup. Hope and Powell have proven their mettle in white-ball cricket. Here we decode their stats.
Why does this story matter?
WI have had a hard time in the last few years across formats. Pooran took over the reins from Kieron Pollard in May last year and stepped down in November. Notably, the ODI World Cup will be played later this year and WI are the hosts of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in June. Hence, Hope and Powell have a job in hand.
What did Hope say on his appointment?
"It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be appointed captain of any West Indies team," Hope said in an official statement. "To lead a team that is of such incredible significance not only to myself and my teammates but to our legion of fans the world over, is something one dreams of as a child."
Hope's sensational run in ODIs
Hope, since making his debut in 2016, has belted 4,308 runs across 104 ODIs. He averages a stellar 48.95 and has maintained a strike rate of 74.68. He has 13 hundreds and 21 fifties. He is currently the 11th-highest run-score for the Windies, ranking behind Gordan Greenidge (5,134). Notably, Hope boasts the highest average among WI batters with 1,000 or more ODI runs.
Sensational run in Asia
Notably, Hope has scored 1,428 runs in just 23 ODIs in Asia at a stellar average of 84. The tally includes seven tons and five fifties. No other batter with 1,000 or more ODI runs in the continent even averages 68.
His feat with Campbell
Hope, alongside John Campbell, added 365 runs for the opening wicket in an ODI versus New Zealand in 2019. This remains the highest ODI partnership for the opening wicket. Overall, it stands behind WI's Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels' 372-run stand versus Zimbabwe in 2015.
100 in 100th ODI
Last year, Hope became the 10th batter to smash a hundred in his 100th ODI. He accomplished the milestone versus India and joined the likes of Gordan Greenidge, Chris Cairns, Mohammad Yousuf, Kumar Sangakkara, Chris Gayle, Marcus Trescothick, Ramnaresh Sarwan, David Warner, and Shikhar Dhawan.
What did Powell say on his appointment?
"I'm truly humbled and grateful to be given this amazing opportunity to lead the West Indies," Powell said. "I see this as the greatest honour of my career. To be asked to 'carry the flag' for the people of the Caribbean, there's no bigger role in cricket in the region," added the dasher.
Powell is a proven leader
Meanwhile, Powell is not new to the leadership role, having led Jamaica Tallawahs to the CPL title in 2022. It was his third year in as the side's full-time skipper. He also guided Jamaica to the Regional Super50 title last year. The batter has also West Indies in three ODIs and one T20I, returning with two wins and as many defeats.
How he has fared in T20Is?
He has so far mustered 890 runs in 55 matches at a brilliant average of 23.42. He strikes at 134.64 in the format (50s: 4, 100: 1). Notably, he is among the only three Caribbean batters with a T20I hundred. Gayle and Evin Lewis are the others. Overall in T20 cricket, he owns 2,668 runs in 153 games at 24.25 (50s: 11, 100: 1).
West Indies to tour South Africa
Meanwhile, Powell and Hope will kick-start their full-time tenure in South Africa. The Caribbean team will tour the rainbow nation for two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is, starting February 28. Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the Test team.
