The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

Shai Diego Hope

TanteMerle 2/9/25, 6:33:49 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

What can I say?

He has transformed his batting to be able to play all-formats.

He picked up a small 30 thousand USD for the most runs, and best 6 of the tournament.
I believe that he just lucked out for best catch.

No if we could get him back home to represent Bim.
You know I prefer him to represent Mudlands, but that's a pipe dream of mine.

I hope that he plays some red ball for Bim and demonstrate that he belongs.

PS: Please, no talk about test record, as that is in the past.
Hooper record was poor until he made captain and averaged over 50 during his reign.
I believe that Hope can do the same in his part 2 of his test career.
I say Hope for test captain.
Imlach for VC.
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NYCGURU 2/9/25, 7:48:47 PM
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debut: 11/29/03
3,703 runs

In reply to TanteMerle

Hope is the only batsman in the region I will rush to the park to see bat....
TanteMerle 2/9/25, 8:39:48 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to NYCGURU

Me too...

Although the likes of Pooran in form is tempting.
Kevin Wickham, Jewel and Athanaze are impressive at times too.

I will pay to watch Imlach in any test match.
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Brerzerk 2/10/25, 12:52:13 AM
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debut: 3/16/21
12,194 runs

In reply to TanteMerle

Hooper’s record was poor when? What was is average up to his 1st retirement, how many 50/tons? Yuh comparing 20 lil avg to 30plus? Hooper tinned up in his 2nd test. Inconsistent is not poor. Check Hope’s score before and after his immortal test. He’s a natural cricketer so I too hope he has learned enough to come back to a successful career but don’t twist the facts
TanteMerle 2/10/25, 1:07:44 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to Brerzerk

Ok bro, you asked for it.

Pre-cappo. 1987-1999. 80 games 4153 runs at 33.76, with 9 centuries & 18 50's.

As Cappo. 2001-2002. 22 games 1609 runs at 48.62, with 4 centuries & 9 - 50's.

I believe that his pre-captain numbers are in Braffit’s league.
We all conclude and agree that Braffit is mediocre.

Now Hope has 38 games 1726 runs at 25.01, with 2 centuries & 5 - 50's, which is mediocre as well.

I am suggesting that a renewed Hope would do like Hooper 2nd round.

Is that clear enough for you.
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Larr Pullo 2/10/25, 1:12:20 PM
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debut: 11/13/02
100,560 runs

In reply to TanteMerle

Almost all cricket fans, except you I suppose, would pay to watch Hooper make 10 than to watch Paint make a 100.
TanteMerle 2/10/25, 1:15:48 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to Larr Pullo

Don't be an idiot.
Read my comments again.
I would never pay to watch Braffit bat.
Actually, you would have to pay me a extremely high premium to watch paint bat.

If you want to join the conversation, please read all posts in their entirety before posting crap.

Braffit has 98 games 5935 runs at 33.15, with 12 centuries &31 – 50’s. Extremely mediocre and boring to boot.
Baje 2/10/25, 1:22:21 PM
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debut: 12/10/02
7,895 runs

I don't think he is ready for test cricket. His defense is somewhat loose in terms of getting into line. He also needs an effective way to handle the short ball.
If I was Shai I would leave test cricket alone a day work on getting stronger for white ball cricket.
Besar 2/10/25, 1:39:45 PM
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debut: 3/18/05
280 runs

In reply to Larr Pullo

That is why our standards are so low today, We are prepared to Knight a pretty 10 with the title "Sir" over a hard fought for 100 from a limited talent, that may not be pretty. That is why Hooper had no motivation to put any extra effort beyond that immense talent that he was so gifted with. Being "beauty queen" proved to be more rewarding. Then, we blame them.
Baje 2/10/25, 1:43:56 PM
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debut: 12/10/02
7,895 runs

In reply to Besar

Steve Waugh the owner of Sir Carl said that Carl had an exploitable flaw which he Steve could easily fix
So maybe Carl was trying harder than it looked like.
TanteMerle 2/10/25, 2:09:39 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to Baje

I believe a few years ago Carl identified his flaw.

It was laziness.

Hooper was one of the best looking batsmen ever.

He was loved in Barbados.

I remember going to games to watch him and being disappointed.

I witnessed some people leaving the ground when Hooper got out.
Hooper was classy and got out very ugly.

Me. I stayed even after he got out; however, I was very disappointed .
This man had too much talent to get out...
TanteMerle 2/10/25, 2:15:51 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

BTW:

I would pay to watch Shai Hope batting in any game.

Any level, even curry goat games.

I must admit my bias towards Hope.
I also love Holder, Imlach, Pooran, Athanaze, Wickham, Shamar Joseph, Seales, and a few others.

I would pay to watch Pollard, R. Powell, Campbell, Anderson, Pierre, Hosein and a few others.

You can't pay me to watch the likes of K. Powell, Braffit, Tage, Solozano, and a few others.
Besar 2/10/25, 2:26:31 PM
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debut: 3/18/05
280 runs

In reply to Baje

If a cricketer at that level played all these years and never discovered that he had a flaw, and discovered that years after he retired, then something is wrong with that head. Not just Steve Waugh could have corrected it, he could have if he wanted to. Worst are those who defend this nonsense to this day. Wasted talent it was. I can look at Kraig's torture to a 100 any day than any pretty 10.
Besar 2/10/25, 2:28:53 PM
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debut: 3/18/05
280 runs

than any pretty and reckless 10.
TanteMerle 2/10/25, 2:34:09 PM
TanteMerle avatar image

debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to Besar

Do search on the net for Hooper's interview. I believe that it was late 2023 or early 2024.
VIX 2/10/25, 3:00:20 PM
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debut: 2/7/03
17,764 runs

Great to see Hope doing well in relevant cricket.

Hopefully he sticks to this format and leave Test cricket to the aficionados to romance over.
PalsofMine 2/10/25, 4:02:28 PM
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debut: 2/2/23
2,030 runs

In reply to VIX

No doubt Hope knows his ambitions and his limitations.
Brerzerk 2/10/25, 5:22:45 PM
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debut: 3/16/21
12,194 runs

In reply to TanteMerle

You moved goalpost from poor to mediocre I had those stats in my head b4 I replied to your post bro. Hoopers pre,cPpo stats and Marlon's career. stats along with Kraigs are mediocre i.e. below avg. But, and it is a big but; that is a some way remo Ed from poor i.e.dismal such as 20 lilli,bit.
4REALQUICKS 2/10/25, 5:53:07 PM
4REALQUICKS avatar image

debut: 2/16/24
894 runs

I am among those that would be very pleased to see Shai Hope back in the test team. I would also give genuine consideration toward him being captain too, as I want to see a change at the top - by that, I mean in approach from the skipper, not necessarily the top of the batting order as Kraigg Brathwaite is probably still the best of a bad bunch. Hope batting in the top order would be a nice move in my opinion - and without the added burden of the wicket-keeping duties.
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TanteMerle 2/10/25, 6:20:32 PM
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debut: 2/22/04
8,739 runs

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Imlach is too good a keeper not to keep.

Fortunately, he is a great batsman in development.

Hope as test skipper sounds good.

Imagine having a team of: -

Openers: - Braffit, Campbell, Louis, McCaskie Lewis
#3: - Hope, Carty, Jangoo
Middle: - Athanaze, Hodge, Anderson, Wickham, Greaves, Holder, Rutherford
Keeper: - Imlach, Dasilva, Pooran
Spinnas: - Mootie, Warrican, Sinclair
Pacers: - Cucaracha, Seales, Josephs,

I did not even mention Shepherd, Forde, Chemar Holder, Phillips, Thorne, or other contenders.

Let's us see what Scammy will do about the Global stars among us.

Having a big squad from which to choose 15 is good.