West Indies batsman Hope disappointed by result despite maiden ton

Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Nov 20 (IANS) West Indies batsman Shai Hope has said the disappointment of their tied game with Zimbabwe had taken some of the gloss off his maiden One-Day International (ODI) hundred.

The 23-year-old stroked 101 but the West Indies, chasing 258 for victory in their second match of the tri-nations series also involving Sri Lanka here on Saturday, squandered a position of 220 for two by losing their last six wickets for 37 runs in the space of 32 balls, as scores ended level, reports CMC.

Hope, in only his second ODI after making his debut against Sri Lanka last Wednesday, said he was pleased with the personal achievement but that had been overshadowed by the result.

"Of course, I am disappointed, it's not a win. You go into a match to win games so after the position that we had as well, we wanted to finish off that game and get a win," the right-hander said after the match.

"You have to be pleased with any century, especially scoring it at the international level so I am happy. It was about setting up the game as best as possible. It's just unfortunate we couldn't get over the line."

"We just wanted to be more clinical in those last ten overs - set up the game better and then finish it off," he added.

Hope put on 162 for the third wicket with opener Carlos Brathwaite who made 78 off 117 balls, to pull the West Indies around from 58 for two in the 12th over.

However, Hope was dismissed immediately after reaching triple figures and Brathwaite followed soon after, as the collapse set in, and the Barbadian said he regretted not being able to see the Caribbean side home.

"We were focussing on just about being positive, getting the ones and twos - the odd boundary would come along - being consistent in your stroke-play and taking it as deep into the innings as possible," Hope explained.

"We knew we had hitters in the back but having said that, it's not about leaving the game for the others to win. It's about staying there, taking it as far down as possible and then bringing it home for the team.

"I didn't bring home the game for the team and it is unfortunate that we as a team did not bring home the game either."

The West Indies take on Sri Lanka in their third game of the series next Wednesday.

--IANS

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