Shai Hope was hungry for a good performance: Rovman Powell

Coming into the side for the injured Brandon King, Shai Hope made full use of the chance at the top, smashing an unbeaten 82 off just 39 deliveries to power West Indies to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the Super 8s clash against the USA on June (21) in Barbados. This was just the second game Hope played in the T20 World Cup. In his previous game against Afghanistan, he slammed 25 off 17 but had to make way for the Roston Chase in the next game against England.

West Indies skipper Rovman Powell said that the Hope was hugry to put in a good show after being left out.

"He's been fantastic, he got a chance against Afghanistan but was dropped next game against England in St Lucia because of the combination. However, he was hungry for a good performance," Powell said at the post-match presentation.

Powell also praised Roston Chase, whose career-best 3/19 restricted USA to under 130. "He plays really well, plays a role very well. Keeps things tight. On a good surface, he bowled really well," Powell said.

USA skipper Aaron Jones, though, thought his side were well below-par today. 

"Tough night for the boys. We had to score about 170-180 today. In the middle overs, we lost wickets in clusters. It goes like that sometimes. At the end of the day, we needed runs on the board. We tried to go hard with the ball but we know West Indies are a good batting unit. England will be a good game. We are up for a challenge," he said.

Player of the Match Chase says that in the meeting ahead of the game, they spoke of the spinners' role in the middle overs.  "We spoke about it in the team meeting that it’s our job as spinners to restrict them if they go well in the powerplay," he said.

West Indies take on South Africa next on June 23 (Sunday) in Antigua. A win against the Proteas will see them through to the semis. USA, on the other hand, take on England on the same day in Barbados, knowing that even a win might not be enough to take them through to the next round.

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