Why Shai Hope is Not Playing Today in WI vs SL 1st Test?

The first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka is being played at the North Sound, Antigua. However, the hosts have suffered a massive blow ahead of the toss as star batter Shai Hope was left out.

Hope is one of the mainstays in West Indies' batting line-ups and his absence can make a difference in this game. Let's find out why he is not in West Indies' Playing 11 for this match against Sri Lanka.

Why Shai Hope is Not Playing Today Match?

Shai Hope was ruled out of the WI vs SL 1st Test due to an injury that he picked up during training in the practice sessions ahead of the match. Shai Hope left shoulder injury turned out to be a big blow for West Indies middle order the hosts will have to look for a new batter at No. 4.

Left-handed batter Amir Jangoo has been brought in as Shai Hope replacement for this match. This will be the second Test match of his career. However, he will have a big responsibility on his shoulders to replace a world-class batter.

West Indies will hope that Hope gets fit for the next match, which will be played at the same ground as well. He is arguably the most technically sound batter in this West Indies line-up and provides solidity in the middle order.

Despite being one of the best batsmen in the world, Hope has modest numbers in Test cricket. The right-hander has scored 2260 runs in the format at an average of just 26.58 so far.

Sri Lanka Reduced By West Indies Quicks

On a pitch assisting the fast bowlers early on, WI bowlers started well and restricted Sri Lanka to 42-3 early on. However, Sri Lanka went on to score as skipper Dhananjaya de Silva led from the front with the bat. He scored a fine century (120 off 168 balls) with Dinesh Chandimal also contributing with a fine fifty.

All West Indies fast bowlers chipped in as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 308 in their first innings. In reply, the hosts have begun well with Brandon King looking good as the Test opener. It will be an important series for him as he looks forward to establish himself in the longest format of the game.