On November 20, 2025, under a drizzly sky in New Zealand, Shai Hope didn’t just play a match—he rewrote the record books. With a blistering 66-ball century against New Zealand in a rain-shortened 34-over contest, the Shai Hope became the first batter ever to score an ODI century against all 12 Full Member nations of the International Cricket Council. He also equaled Brian Lara’s tally of 19 ODI centuries—and did it in half the innings. And then, quietly, he crossed 6,000 ODI runs, becoming the second-fastest West Indian to reach that mark.
From 86 for 5 to cricketing immortality
West Indies were in freefall. Openers Brandon King and Keacy Carty gone inside 12 overs. Ackeem Auguste fell for 12. At 86 for 5, the innings looked dead. The New Zealand attack—led by Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson—had exploited every seam and swing. But then, Shai Hope walked in. No panic. No heroics. Just control. He anchored the innings with Keon Harding, then unleashed in the final nine overs, adding 111 runs with Romario Shepherd and Kevin Forde. His 100 came off just 66 balls—10 fours, 2 sixes, strike rate 118.18. The crowd fell silent. Then, slowly, they started clapping.
19 centuries. 142 innings. The fastest path
Brian Lara took 285 matches to reach 19 ODI centuries. Shai Hope did it in 142. That’s not just faster—it’s a different kind of brilliance. Only four players globally have reached 19 centuries quicker: Babar Azam (102), Hashim Amla (104), Virat Kohli (124), and David Warner (139). Hope’s pace isn’t just statistical—it’s psychological. He’s the only batter in history to score centuries against all 12 Test-playing nations. Sachin Tendulkar missed one. Ricky Ponting missed one. Chris Gayle missed one. Hope? All of them. Even New Zealand, his 12th and final hurdle, fell to him with a 66-ball blitz.
Behind the numbers: A West Indian icon
He’s the seventh West Indian to cross 6,000 ODI runs. The others? Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, Brian Lara, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Richards did it in 141 innings. Hope? 142. One game behind. That’s the closest anyone has come to matching the legend since the 1980s. And unlike Gayle or Lara, who needed volume to reach these heights, Hope did it with surgical precision. His 19 centuries came in 142 innings. Gayle needed 291. Lara, 285.
More than milestones: The ‘no one else passed 30’ club
Hope’s century wasn’t just big—it was bizarrely solitary. It was his third ODI hundred where no other batter on his side reached 30. The first two? Both against Bangladesh in 2018. Only two others have done this three times: Saeed Anwar and Hashim Amla. That’s not luck. That’s pressure mastery. When the team collapses, Hope doesn’t just survive—he dominates. And he does it under the weight of expectation from a region that’s seen its cricketing glory fade.
What this means for West Indies cricket
Cricket West Indies, headquartered in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, called it "unparalleled consistency." President Dr. Kishore Shallow said Hope’s leadership in crisis has redefined what West Indian batting can be. With the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup looming, this isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a lifeline. The West Indies team has struggled for top-order stability since Gayle’s retirement. Hope is now their only consistent anchor. His ability to rebuild from 86 for 5, against any attack, on any pitch, makes him the most valuable player in the squad.
The legacy: Beyond Lara, beyond Gayle
People will compare Hope to Lara. To Gayle. To Richards. But he’s carving his own lane. Lara was the genius. Gayle was the force. Richards was the fire. Hope? He’s the machine. He doesn’t need 300 balls to make 150. He doesn’t need 200 balls to make 100. He needs 66. And he’s done it against every nation on earth. He’s scored centuries in 10 different countries—tied with Kohli and Gayle. Only Tendulkar and Jayasuriya have done it in more. He’s not chasing ghosts. He’s building a monument.
What’s next?
Hope’s next target? 7,000 ODI runs. And 25 centuries—the record held by Chris Gayle. At his current rate, he’ll reach 7,000 in 170 innings. He’s 28. He’s fit. He’s calm. He’s relentless. And with the World Cup on the horizon, the West Indies team has finally found its heartbeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shai Hope’s 19th century compare to Brian Lara’s record?
Shai Hope reached 19 ODI centuries in just 142 innings, while Brian Lara took 285. That’s nearly half the number of matches. Hope’s average strike rate in those centuries is also higher (118.18 vs. Lara’s 85.3), reflecting a more aggressive, modern style. Lara’s record was built over 16 years; Hope matched it in under 10.
Who else has scored centuries against all 12 Full Member nations?
No one. Before Hope, the closest were Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Chris Gayle—all of whom had centuries against 11 nations. Hope’s century against New Zealand completed the set. He’s the only player in history to have scored an ODI hundred against every Test-playing country, including Afghanistan, Ireland, and Scotland.
Why is scoring a century when no teammate hits 30 so rare?
It means the entire top and middle order collapsed, leaving the batter to carry the team alone. Only three players have done it three times: Hope, Saeed Anwar, and Hashim Amla. It’s a testament to individual brilliance under extreme pressure—something few modern batsmen have consistently delivered.
How does Hope’s 6,000-run milestone rank among West Indians?
Hope is the seventh West Indian to reach 6,000 ODI runs, and the second-fastest—just one innings behind Viv Richards (141). Chris Gayle and Brian Lara took nearly twice as many innings to reach the same mark. His efficiency makes him statistically the most productive ODI batter in West Indian history.
What impact does this have on West Indies’ 2027 World Cup chances?
Hope is now the undisputed cornerstone of West Indies’ batting. With a reliable anchor who can rebuild from 86 for 5 against any attack, the team has its first consistent top-order option since Gayle’s prime. His presence alone elevates their win probability in high-pressure, must-win games.
Is Hope likely to break Chris Gayle’s record of 25 ODI centuries?
At his current rate of 0.13 centuries per innings, Hope would need 48 more innings to reach 25. He’s 28, in peak form, and plays regularly. If he stays fit through 2029, he has a realistic shot. No other active player is close to challenging that record.