Shai Hope Makes History With Century Against New Zealand, Becomes First to Score Centuries Against All 12 Test Nations
On a damp afternoon in Napier, New Zealand, Shai Hope didn’t just play a match—he rewrote history. The 32-year-old West Indies captain and wicketkeeper-batsman smashed an unbeaten 109 off just 69 balls, with 13 fours and four sixes, to become the first cricketer ever to score a century against all 12 nations that have played Test cricket. It was a blistering, breathtaking innings that silenced the crowd and stunned the cricketing world—even though his team lost.
A Century Against Every Test Nation
Hope’s century against New Zealand Cricket Board on November 19, 2025, was his 19th in ODIs—and the final piece of a puzzle no one else had solved. Before him, legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Hashim Amla, and Martin Guptill had each scored centuries against 11 Test-playing nations. But none had faced them all. With this knock, Hope joined an exclusive club: the only players to have faced every full member of the International Cricket Council in ODIs. And he didn’t just face them—he dominated them.Speed, Power, and Precision
What made this innings unforgettable wasn’t just the milestone—it was the pace. Hope reached his fifty in 42 balls, then raced to his century in just 24 more. His strike rate of 157.97 wasn’t just aggressive—it was surgical. He punished loose deliveries with brutal efficiency, particularly through the off-side, where he carved boundaries with textbook timing. The crowd, initially expecting a New Zealand win, fell silent as Hope carved through their attack. By the time he was done, he’d crossed 6,000 ODI runs in just 142 innings, becoming the second-fastest West Indian to do so, behind only the great Vivian Richards.He now has 19 ODI centuries—tying Brian Lara’s record for West Indies, but doing it in 116 fewer innings. Lara took 258 matches to reach 19; Hope did it in 142. And with 30 half-centuries to his name, his ODI average stands at a staggering 50.80.
The Match That Wasn’t Supposed to Go This Way
The West Indies were in tatters at 68 for 5 inside 15 overs. Openers had fallen to a combination of tight line-and-length bowling and a wet, unpredictable pitch. Then Hope walked in. No panic. No heroics—just calm, controlled destruction. He rebuilt with Justin Greaves and Romario Shepherd, both scoring 22, before taking full control. His partnership with Matthew Ford (21) steadied the ship, but it was Hope’s innings that turned a potential collapse into a respectable 247 for 9 in 34 overs.New Zealand, chasing under lights and drizzle, reached 248 for 5, thanks to Devon Conway’s 90 and Rachin Ravindra’s 56. But the victory felt hollow. Hope, despite the loss, was named Man of the Match. Even New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, couldn’t hide his admiration: “Shai played one of those innings you watch and just shake your head. He didn’t just score—he made it look effortless.”
What This Means for West Indies Cricket
For a team that’s struggled with consistency in the last decade, Hope’s performance was a beacon. His leadership on the field, his composure under pressure, and his ability to deliver in crunch moments have made him the face of West Indies cricket’s new generation. West Indies Cricket Board chief selector Robin Singh put it bluntly: “Shai has proven he’s not just a player—he’s the cornerstone of our future. This isn’t luck. This is mastery.”Hope’s record isn’t just about numbers. It’s about legacy. He’s the first West Indian since Vivian Richards to carry the team’s batting on his shoulders across generations. And with 147 ODIs under his belt, he’s just entering his prime. The question isn’t whether he’ll break Gayle’s record of 25 ODI centuries—it’s how soon.
Why This Matters Beyond the Stats
Cricket is a game of records, but few carry the weight of this one. Scoring centuries against every Test nation means you’ve faced the best bowling attacks in every condition—on spinning tracks in India, fast pitches in Australia, seaming wickets in England, and now, damp New Zealand conditions. It’s not just about talent. It’s about adaptability, mental toughness, and longevity.Hope’s achievement puts him in the same breath as Tendulkar and Lara—not because he’s matched their totals yet, but because he’s matched their universality. He’s not just a big-hitter. He’s a complete batsman who thrives under pressure, no matter the opponent or the venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the other players close to scoring centuries against all 12 Test nations?
Before Shai Hope, only Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Hashim Amla, and Martin Guptill had scored centuries against 11 of the 12 Test-playing nations. None had faced Afghanistan, which only gained Test status in 2018. Hope became the first to complete the set by scoring his century against New Zealand—the 12th and final team.
How does Hope’s century rate compare to other modern greats?
Hope’s 66-ball century is the second-fastest ODI century by a West Indian, behind only Chris Gayle’s 50-ball ton. Among all players with 15+ ODI centuries, only AB de Villiers (31 balls) and David Warner (46 balls) have scored faster. His strike rate of 157.97 is among the highest for any century scored in a losing cause in the last 15 years.
Why is this record harder to achieve now than in the past?
The number of Test-playing nations has grown—from 10 to 12 since Afghanistan and Ireland gained status. Plus, modern bowling attacks are more specialized, with pace, spin, and death-over specialists making it harder to score freely. Hope’s ability to adapt across conditions—from the dry pitches of India to the damp ones of New Zealand—makes this record even more impressive.
What’s next for Shai Hope in his career?
Hope is now just six centuries behind Chris Gayle’s record of 25 ODI tons. With his current form and average of 50.80, he’s on pace to surpass Gayle within the next 20 matches. He’s also closing in on 7,000 ODI runs and could become the first West Indian to reach that mark since Brian Lara. His leadership role is growing, and he’s widely seen as the heir to Lara’s legacy.
Did any other West Indian achieve this before him?
No. No West Indian had ever scored centuries against all 12 Test nations. Even legends like Brian Lara, Vivian Richards, and Garfield Sobers never faced Afghanistan or Ireland in ODIs during their careers. Hope is the first from his region to complete this feat, making it a uniquely West Indian milestone.
How does this impact West Indies’ chances in upcoming tournaments?
Hope’s form is a major boost ahead of the 2027 World Cup. His ability to anchor innings under pressure and accelerate when needed gives West Indies a rare stability in the middle order. With him leading, the team has a clear identity: aggressive yet calculated. If the bowling can match his intensity, they’re no longer just underdogs—they’re contenders.
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