Shai Hope Makes History as First Cricketer to Score Centuries Against All 12 Test Nations

On November 19, 2023, at McLean Park in Napier, Shai Hope, captain of the West Indies cricket team, etched his name into the annals of global sport. Facing New Zealand in a rain-shortened ODI, Hope smashed an unbeaten 109 off just 69 balls — 13 fours, four sixes, pure timing, and nerve — to become the first batter in cricket history to score international centuries against all 12 Test-playing nations. The innings wasn’t just a milestone; it was a statement. With the target reduced to 190 in 33 overs, Hope carried the West Indies to 193/5 in 32.1 overs, sealing victory with three balls to spare. The crowd fell silent as he reached his hundred — then erupted. Because this wasn’t just another century. It was the final piece of a puzzle no one else had ever solved.

The Unfinished Puzzle

Before Hope, the record belonged to legends who never had the chance to face the full modern lineup. Sachin Tendulkar, the great Indian icon, scored centuries against nine Test nations — but never faced Afghanistan or Ireland, both granted Test status after his retirement. Ricky Ponting, Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, and Martin Guptill each reached eleven — but fell just short. Hope, born in 1992, came of age as cricket expanded. He played his first ODI in 2013. By 2018, he’d already scored centuries against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. But it was the newer nations — Ireland in 2019 and Afghanistan in 2022 — that made this achievement possible. No one else had the longevity, the consistency, and the luck of timing to face all twelve.

A Century Against the World

Hope’s 19th ODI century wasn’t just about numbers. It was about context. He’s now scored hundreds in Sydney, London, Delhi, Johannesburg, Colombo, Dhaka, Harare, Dublin, Kabul, and yes — even against his own nation, the West Indies, in a 2018 match in Barbados. His knock against New Zealand was the capstone, but it wasn’t the only one that defined this era. Earlier in 2023, at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago, he smashed 120 not out against Pakistan — ending a 34-year winless streak for the West Indies against them. In that match, fast bowler Jayden Seales took 6 for 18, bowling Pakistan out for 92. Hope was Player of the Match. Seales, Player of the Series. But it was Hope’s bat that made the breakthrough possible.

Behind the Numbers

Hope reached 6,000 ODI runs in just 142 innings — the second-fastest among West Indies players, trailing only Sir Viv Richards (141). His average? 50.80. 19 centuries. 30 half-centuries. 147 matches. He’s now fifth-quickest globally to 19 ODI hundreds, behind Babar Azam, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, and David Warner. And here’s the odd part: in three of his centuries, no other batter on his side reached 30. Only Saeed Anwar and Hashim Amla have done that more often. Against New Zealand, Romario Shepherd scored 22 — the second-highest in the innings. That’s Hope’s pattern: carry the load when others falter.

What the Experts Say

"Shai played an exceptional knock tonight, his timing and placement were impeccable against our bowling attack," said Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s captain. "It’s always difficult to contain a quality batter like him when he gets set." Cricket West Indies President Dr. Kishore Shallow called it "a monumental moment in West Indies cricket history." Coach Daren Sammy, himself a former World Cup-winning captain, added: "Shai has worked tirelessly on his game. He’s become a complete package — technically sound, mentally strong, and a tremendous leader." The International Cricket Council confirmed the record was unprecedented. "This is a first in the history of international cricket," an ICC spokesperson said. "No batter has ever completed the set across all formats and all current Test nations."

Why This Matters Beyond the Stats

The West Indies haven’t won a World Cup since 1979. Their Test status has been questioned. Their players have left for T20 leagues. But Hope — calm, consistent, unflashy — has been the quiet anchor. His record doesn’t just beat Tendulkar’s or Ponting’s; it redefines what’s possible for a player from a cricketing region that’s seen better days. He didn’t need a 300-run partnership. He didn’t need a star-studded lineup. He needed one thing: the ability to turn pressure into performance, again and again.

He’s now tied with Brian Lara for second-most ODI centuries for the West Indies. Only Chris Gayle, with 25, stands ahead. But Gayle’s were explosive. Hope’s are surgical. He doesn’t just score runs — he rebuilds teams. He doesn’t just win matches — he restores belief.

What’s Next?

Hope is 31. He’s not slowing down. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, and the West Indies still fighting for consistency, his leadership will be vital. He’s already the most capped ODI captain in West Indies history. Could he become the first West Indian to score 7,000 ODI runs? Could he reach 25 centuries? The path is open. And if he keeps playing like this, the records won’t stop at 12 nations.

Historical Context: The Long Road to 12

Test cricket expanded slowly. The 12th nation — Afghanistan — was granted Test status only in 2017. Ireland followed in 2018. Before then, legends like Tendulkar, Lara, and Ponting never had the chance to face them in official matches. Hope’s career coincided with this expansion. He played his first ODI against Ireland in 2019 — and scored 104. He faced Afghanistan in 2022, in a rain-affected match in Abu Dhabi, and made 111. Those innings were quiet. No headlines. Just two more ticks on a list no one thought could be completed. Now, it’s done.