Hit-wickets are not new in the game of cricket, as generally the batters look to back away too much to get dismissed on hit-wickets against the pacers or the spinners. But the 17th fixture of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors saw the wicket-keeper batter, Shai Hope, getting dismissed tragically. 

It was the opening ball of the 15th over of the first innings. Terrance Hinds went for a wide and short delivery, far away from the striking batter, Shai Hope. The right-handed batter looked to reverse sweep the short and wide delivery, looking to chase after it. It was a very wide delivery as the batter went after it for a big shot.

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But he couldn’t get a touch of the ball and ended up dragging his bat on the follow-through back onto the stumps. It was the dismissal of the last recognized batter for the Guyana side for 39 runs in 29 balls at a strike rate of around 130, with the help of three boundaries and one six.

Watch: Craziest hit-wicket on wide delivery during CPL 2025 as video goes viral

Guyana kept missing the timely big shots and losing wickets one after another. Apart from Hope, Dwayne Pretorious and Quentin Sampson crossed the 20-run mark as they ended with 163/9 in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings. The left-arm spinner, Akeal Hossein, opening the bowling, ended up with a fine figure of 3/27 in his four overs at an economy rate of 6.80.

ONE OF THE CRAZIEST HIT-WICKET EVER...!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QOoXIxSHGB

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 31, 2025

Chasing the score, the 116-run opening stand between Colin Munro and Alex Hales provided them the best platform. The former got 52 runs in just 30 balls while the latter ended up with 74 runs in just 43 balls. This helped them chase the second innings target by six wickets with 16 balls to spare.

Knight Riders have now progressed to the top of the points table with five wins in six encounters, while Guyana stayed at the fourth rank in the table with just two wins in four games at a net run rate of +0.791.

August 29, 2017—a memorable day for the West Indies. On that day, the West Indies won their first Test in England in 17 years. A young Shai Hope was selected as man of the match for his effortless batting in both of the innings at Headingley. 

The match was a close fight between the West Indies and England, the host. England, led by Joe Root, went to bat first in the first innings. Then the England cricket team was going through a transition phase. So the team on the sheet was not evenly balanced. West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel did not take too long to strike. The pacer cleared both of the openers, including Alastair Cook, with short intervals. Tom Westley, who came at number 3, returned to the pavilion quickly. England was 4 down, only 71. At that moment, Root and Ben Stokes came in the middle to rescue their team. With Stokes' 100 and Root's 59, England somehow managed to get 258 on the scoreboard. 

While most of the batters of the visiting side were unimpressive, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope played differently. Hope came with 147, and Brathwaite notched 134. Jason Holder (c) and Jermaine Blackwood contributed with forty-plus scores from the lower middle order to take WI's first innings total to 427. 

Read More: KCL 2025: 1 century, 2 half-centuries, Sanju Samson in blazing form ahead of Asia Cup

Hope delivered again 

England regrouped and replied with 490/8d in the second phase of the match. 6 of their 11 players played fifty-plus innings to cover up their first innings due and offered West Indies a competitive target of 322 runs. 

The target was stiff enough to chase down on the tricky surface of Leeds. Like the first innings, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope again stood tall and delivered. Brathwaite missed another century by only 5 runs; Hope secured the milestone win for the West Indies by scoring an unbeaten 118 runs off 211 balls. Shai was then an emerging batter, 23 years of age, considered as one of the brightest prospects of world cricket, and got the man of the match award. 

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have begun their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 campaign on a high note, winning both of their opening matches in convincing style. The team looks dominant in all areas, under the leadership of seasoned Imran Tahir, and has early momentum in the tournament. They face the Saint Lucia Kings in Match 13 at St Lucia. There is extra motivation for this game as it was the Kings that stood in the way of winning their second CPL title last season. Guyana will want to get one back and build on their winning streak.

See Also: Most runs by Indian batters in Test Wins

Conversely, the Saint Lucia Kings have had trouble finding their rhythm in this campaign. They have one victory out of four total games played, with two matches washed out and one lost. Under the leadership of David Wiese, they are in second last place on the points table, and as defending champions, they must turn things around. A win against the form Warriors could rekindle their season, and in hopes, set them confidently in motion for their title defence.

Saint Lucia Kings vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Match 13: Live Streaming Details

Saint Lucia Kings vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, Match 13: Probable Playing XI

St Lucia Kings Playing XI 

Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert (WK), Aukeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Tim David, Delano Potgieter, David Wiese (C), Alzarri Joseph, Keon Gaston, Kharry Pierre, Tabraiz Shamsi

Guyana Amazon Warriors Playing XI

Ben McDermott, Kevlon Anderson, Shai Hope (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Moeen Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Imran Tahir (C), Shamar Joseph

When Shai Hope is in flow, destruction is guaranteed. The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons is the latest victim of his ruthless batting. Without any doubt, in-form Shai Hope is always a joy to watch. It was a surprise when no franchise was interested in acquiring the service of the West Indian batsman for IPL 2025. 

During the 9th game of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the right-handed batter played an 82-run innings against 54 balls. During this carnage he smashed six boundaries and five over boundaries. With this batting style and aggressive nature, the Barbados-born can be an easy fit for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2026. 

3 points why RCB should sign Shai Hope:

Batting Depth: Shai Hope's inclusion in the squad will instantly boost up the batting strength and also will be a good option as a regular wicketkeeper. Though RCB already has Jitesh Sharma in their squad, so if they rope in Shai, then he may have to play only as a batsman. In his form, the swashbuckling batter can be equally useful against spinners and pacers. In recent times, length deliveries have become a go-tooption for fast bowlers in the IPL. Hope has the antidote in his bag against those length balls. 

Read More: Who is Smaran Ravichandran, the batter who hit 3 sixes on a trot during 2025 Maharaja Trophy T20

A Good Option from the Bench: Despite his prolific batting skills, Hope's inconsistency remains a concern. For that reason, RCB can utilize him as a replacement. In the last IPL season, they had to go with Liam Livingston or Romario Shepherd, who were too inconsistent. Livingston finished the IPL 2025 campaign with only a batting average of 16.00 in 8 innings. If the franchise is ready to sacrifice a foreign batting all-rounder, then they must keep an eye on Shai Hope. 

Wrecker-in-chief: At any moment, the West Indian batter can turn into a wrecker-in-chief, like he did during Amazon Warriors vs Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. If he is able to find the sweet spot, then even top bowlers in the IPL can start to see nightmares on the ground. For a successful season, every team needs an 'X'-factor; Shai Hope can be the 'X-factor' for the IPL 2025 champions. 

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy was caught in the eye of storm when he reportedly picked up a fight with the match referee Javagal Srinath during the first Test at Bridegtown, Barbados. Sammy was unhappy with the umpiring standards and voiced his frustration, urging the TV umpire to be more consistent with his decision making. 

Controversy erupted when Head was demmed not out by the TV umpire Adrian Holdstock even when it appeared that the ball had clearly settled into the keeper's gloves. A similar contentious caught behind incident surfaced later on  in the West Indian innings. This time around, much to everyone's surprise, the decision went in the home side's favor even when subsequent replays clearly indicated that the ball hadn't carried cleanly into the keeper's gloves. 

Sammy was furious with the events that unfolded and expressed his anguish to Srinath, questioning Holdstock's decision-making work. Following the end of the Test, Sammy was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing dissent and earned a 15% fine on his fees along with one demerit point.

See also: WI vs AUS 1st Test: Key moments and Full match highlights

'I hold no grudges', Sammy opens up following the end of the controversial Test

As the dust settles on the first Test, Sammy has made it clear that he holds no grudges against the match officials. The fact that the match officials department have confessed their errors puts him at ease. Despite being displeased with Holdstock's work in the first Test, Sammy wishes him all the best for his upcoming game and expresses his desire to move on. 

"I don't hold grudges. I said what I said, based on what I saw. I've been punished for it. I wish Adrian all the best, to be honest. I mean, we're all human. I have nothing against the umpires. I really wish he has an awesome game."

While the West Indies were caught on the wrong side of the technology, the Australian team has steered clear from the controversy so far. However, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey made a startling revelation about the diving catch he took to get rid of Shai Hope. Although Carey was convinced that he took a full-diving catch cleanly, replays seemed to have suggested otherwise. But as fate would have it, Carey emerged on the right side and Australia were able to miraculously manufacture a wicket out of it.  

Shai Hope provided the patrons with a moment to cherish during today’s game between West Indies and Australia – a cover drive that was almost… perfect. No flash, no fuss just timing, balance and elegance. As the ball whistled through the covers so effortlessly it looked like it belonged there, you could almost hear the world collapsing around fans watching on around the world.

It’s not the first time Hope has played that shot but this one felt special. He just leaned into the delivery, hands soft, eyes steady, and let the bat do the rest. No power-hitting needed, no trickery just a clean, old-school cover drive that made the sport feel beautiful again, even if just for a few seconds.

In a game often dominated by brute force and improvised strokes, Hope’s batting feels like a breath of fresh air. He plays the kind of cricket that makes you slow down and appreciate the craft. And today, with that one stroke, he reminded us that timing will always beat power and grace will always have a place in this game.

Watch the video:

ONE OF THE BEST COVER DRIVE IN THE WORLD - SHAI HOPE 🥶 pic.twitter.com/68ofev8I6d

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 26, 2025

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When One Shot Says Everything: Shai Hope’s Cover Drive That Stopped Time

That cover drive wasn’t just a boundary it was a declaration. A reminder that class is not passé. That cricket still has room for a type of batting that talks without shouting. You could hear it in the silences of the commentators, and see it in the replays that return again and again to that shot from every possible angle.

As the match continues, Hope’s form could be crucial for the Windies. But even if the scoreboard doesn’t reflect a massive total, that one shot was enough to light up the day. A cover drive like that doesn’t just fetch four runs it wins hearts.

At last, the rain stayed away and the West Indies triumphed against Ireland in the third and final T20I at Bready to clinch the series 1-0. The weather stayed clear and, much to the visitors' delight, their in-form batters went berserk, punishing the Irish bowlers mercilessly. In what turned out to be a high-voltage thriller, the West Indies, while batting first, mounted an astronomical score of 256 for the loss of five wickets, making it their second-highest T20I score. Evin Lewis (91 off 44) and Shai Hope (51 off 27) were the top performers with the bat for the Men in Maroon, while Akeal Hosein emerged as the pick of the bowlers, returning economical figures of 3-27. 

There was not much to cherish from the Irish point of view. Apart from Humphreys, who went at just 4 RPO while picking up two wickets, the rest of the Irish bowlers went for plenty, with every bowler going at more than  12 RPO. Ireland, in response, tried to stage a counter-attack in the second half, but the target proved way beyond their reach and they comfortably fell short by 62 runs. 

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West Indies Innings

The West Indies started off their innings in a dominating fashion. The WI openers Lewis and Hope got the visitors off to a flyer, piling on 122 runs within the first 11 overs. The Irish bowlers, especially Liam McCarthy, were taken aback early doors by the incredible hitting and simply had no answers to the onslaught. Hope played a composed knock of 51, while Lewis was the aggressor, hammering 91 and narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. The duo hit a combined 12 sixes and 11 fours which completly crippled the Irish bowling attack by the halfway stage. 

Ireland, on the other hand, didn’t have the ideal start, conceding a few loose deliveries that the Men in Maroon were quick to capitalize on. But during the middle overs, they did try to exert some control with the ball, chipping in with a few quick wickets. But that did not seem to have a great deal of impact on the WI innings as Keacy Carty had an impressive T20I debut, finishing unbeaten on 49 in just 22 balls. Romario Shepherd added the finishing touches with a flurry of boundaries, which helped the Windies surge past the 250-run mark in blazing style.

Ireland Innings

In pursuit of their humongous target of 257, Ireland suffered an early blow, losing their captain, Paul Stirling, in only the second over of the run chase. But following that dismissal, a steady 101-run partnership between Ross Adair (48) and Harry Tector (38) followed, which somewhat revived the faint hopes of a potential Irish win. But they were still way behind in the run chase, with the asking rate nearly touching 16 RPO at the halfway stage. After that brief fightback, both Ross and Tector were removed in quick succession in the space of just four balls.

Their quick departures meant a disastrous middle-order collapse, and Ireland never quite recovered. Despite some late resistance from George Dockrell (15 off 8), Mark Adair (31 off 14), and Liam McCarthy (16 off 15) in the lower order, the task proved too tall. The Windies bowlers were able to get themselves back into business after overcoming a resilient stand between Ross and Tector. Once that partnership was broken, the West Indies never offered any realistic opportunity for Ireland to make a comeback. Akeal Hosein led the bowling effort for the visitors and starred with an impressive three-wicket haul, while Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Romario Shepherd chipped in with key breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Ireland vs West Indies: Match Scorecard

West Indies – 256/5 (20 Overs)

Ireland – 194/7 (20 Overs)

The third and final T20I match of the three-match series between Ireland and West Indies will commence on June 15 at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason. The series has been negatively impacted by the weather, with the first two games being washed out completely without a single ball being bowled. Although the forecast for the third T20I does not look bright either, both teams would be hoping to get some time out in the middle. There are high chances of the third game being abandoned as well, but we remain hopeful that this is not the case. Previously, the two sides met in the ODI series last month, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. 

The home team boasts a commendable track record against the Windies in this format. Their historic victory over the West Indies in the 2022 T20 World Cup was clearly a win for the ages, as that win led to the humiliating exit of the 2016 champions. Although they hold an impressive 3-3 win record against a quality T20 side, Ireland has yet to secure a series win against the West Indies. On the other hand, the visiting team is currently experiencing a challenging tour. The Men in Maroon competed against Ireland in a three-match ODI series but struggled significantly, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Furthermore, the team suffered a severe setback in their England series previously, losing both the T20I and ODI series without registering a single win.

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Match Details

Weather Report

The weather will once again play its part in the third and final T20I fixture of the series. It has been raining nonstop in Bready for the past few days, and it is highly likely that the rain will persist on Sunday as well. Gloomy overhead conditions and moderate to low precipitation of 20% are predicted by Google Weather. However, the forecast can worsen as time rolls by. During the day, the temperature can reach a maximum of 16 °C and can go down to as low as 9 °C at dusk or beyond.  Humidity rate is on the higher side, around 81%, while wind speed is expected to clock speeds of 21 km/hr.

Pitch Report

The pitch at Bready Cricket Club provides equitable support to both bowlers and batsmen. The batters are able to take advantage of the consistent bounce, allowing them to execute their shots with confidence once they have acclimatized. Additionally, the presence of a rapid outfield enhances their opportunities. Fast bowlers gain from additional bounce and movement, particularly during the early overs. Similarly, spinners achieve success owing to the reliable bounce. We anticipate a high-scoring match when the two teams face off today, provided the weather gods show some mercy.

Head-to-Head record

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little

West Indies
Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

Ireland and the West Indies are gearing up to face each other in the second T20I match of the three-match T20I series on June 14, 2924. The showdown will be staged at the Bready Cricket Club in Magheramason. Previously, at this venue, the weather played a massive spoilsport, forcing the abandonment of the first T20I without a ball being bowled. The weather forecast for the second game does not look very bright either, as there are chances of light to moderate rainfall on match day. Good Weather predicts a precipitation rate of 40% between 2 PM to 5 PM local time. At this stage, the series currently stands at 0-0, and both teams would be hoping to get some time in the middle. 

The home side has a very promising track record against the Windies. Their historic win against the West Indies in their last T20I game in the 2022 T20 World Cup is a feat, the young Irish team would be mighty proud of. Despite having an impressive 3-3 win record against a quality T20 side, Ireland are yet to register a series victory over the West Indies. Meanwhile, the tourists are in the midst of a very rough tour. The Men in Maroon faced Ireland in a three-match ODI series and did not have a lot of success, with the series ending in a 1-1 stalemate. Moving on, the team was brutally humiliated by the Harry Brook-led English side in the ODI and T20I series, ending that tour without achieving a single win.

See also: IRE vs WI Dream11 Prediction Today: Fantasy Cricket Tips Playing11 and Pitch Report 

Match Details

Pitch Report

The pitch at Bready Cricket Club provides equitable support to both bowlers and batsmen. The batters are able to take advantage of the consistent bounce, allowing them to execute their shots with confidence once they have acclimatized. Additionally, the presence of a rapid outfield enhances their opportunities. Fast bowlers gain from additional bounce and movement, particularly during the early overs. Similarly, spinners achieve success owing to the reliable bounce. We anticipate a high-scoring match when the two teams face off today, provided the weather gods show some mercy.

Head-to-Head record

Predicted Playing XIs

Ireland
Paul Stirling (c), Stephen Doheny, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Liam McCarthy, Barry McCarthy, Ben White, Josh Little

West Indies
Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

England crushed the West Indies and registered a thumping 3-0 series win on the back of a convincing 37-run victory at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday. In a show of brute dominance, the batters on both sides went all guns blazing. It was certainly a painful outing for the bowlers as massive fireworks ensued and the ball travelled to all parts.  A blistering display from the English openers, Jamie Smith (60 off 26) and Ben Duckett (84 off 46), lifted England to 248—their second-highest total in T20I history. The West Indies, in response, displayed a spirited fightback. Rovman Powell (79 off 45) and Shimron Hetmyer  (26 off 8) showcased extraordinary brilliance, but the Windies fell comprehensively short of their desired target. 

England Innings

After being inserted to bat, openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith launched a ferocious assault on the Windies bowlers, registering a dominant 120-run stand inside just nine overs. Smith blazed his way to 60 before falling, while Duckett continued the onslaught with a scintillating 84 off 46 balls. By the halfway stage of the innings, England had reached the score of 135-1 which became their highest score in T20I cricket after 10 overs. Contributions from Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell kept the momentum going, propelling England to the brink of the 250-run mark.

England’s batters came out all guns blazing, leaving the West Indies with few answers in the early exchanges. However, to their credit, the visitors pulled things back nicely after the halfway mark, stringing together some quiet overs and picking up key wickets to stem the flow. Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, and Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with a wicket each, while Jason Holder impressed with a tidy spell at the death.

West Indies Innings

Chasing a record 249 for a consolation win was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors. The West Indies stumbled early, losing both openers within the first five overs. While Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder offered brief resistance, it was Shai Hope (45) and Rovman Powell (unbeaten 79) who provided the only substantial fight. Despite their efforts, the Men in Maroon fell well short, outplayed by a disciplined and clinical English side. The English bowlers did go for a few runs but picked up timely wickets along the way, which kept them alive in the game. 

Besides, some helpful contributions from Hetmyer (26 off 8) and Holder (25 off 12) did help West Indies get close to their target but the constant fall of wickets kept pegging them back. Luke Wood led the way for England with an impressive three-wicket haul (3-41), while Rashid, Carse, Dawson, and Bethell each contributed with key breakthroughs. 

See also: IRE vs WI, 2025: Ireland vs West Indies, 1st T20I Match Preview

England vs West Indies: Match Scorecard

England – 248/3 (20 Overs)

West Indies – 211/8 (20 Overs)