West Indies batting star Barbadian Shai Hope has been named by the prestigious Wisden as one of its five Cricketers of the Year.
Hope, 24, was joined by England Women’s World Cup-winning trio of Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole and Nat Sciver, along with Essex fast bowler Jamie Porter.
Hope enjoyed a breakthrough year in international cricket last year, scoring centuries in both innings of the second Test against England as West Indies beat the hosts by five wickets after chasing down 322 on the final day at Leeds.
“Shai Hope produced one of the individual performances of the year,” said Almanack Editor Lawrence Booth.
After West Indies had been beaten in the first Test at Edgbaston, Hope made 147 and 118 not out to inspire them to a famous win in the second at Headingly.
He was the first player in 534 first-class matches to score two centuries in a game there.
Until that Test, the right-handed Hope had made one half century in 21 innings and was averaging just overall 18.
Hope was the first player in 127 years of first class cricket at Headingly to achieve the feat.
The Barbadian batsman is the first West Indies player since Marlon Samuels in 2013 to be named to the honor roll.
