WI ODI vice-captain Shai Hope: We must adapt quickly to Dutch opponents

West Indies One-Day International (ODI) vice-captain Shai Hope believes success on their first tour of Netherlands will come if the team quickly adapts to its new environment and opposing style of play.

West Indies begin a three-match ODI series against the Dutch team at VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen on Tuesday. This tour is the first-ever ODI series between the two teams.

Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Pooran’s, the team’s previous vice-captain, faces his first competitive test as ODI captain after longstanding skipper Kieron Pollard retired from international cricket in April.

Against unfamiliar opponents, Hope said, “We haven’t played many cricket games against them. It’s going to be fairly new to most of us. We have to play it by ear in that sense because we haven’t physically played against them too often.

“We’re just going to use the technology that we have. (We’ll be) looking at footage (video) trying to see what’s the best plans to formulate against them. It’s about trying to tick those boxes as soon as we can get on top of them sooner rather than later.”

Hope said preparations have been good although acclimatising to the cold weather was a bit challenging for some players.

He added that there is no one central plan to gain a competitive advantage over Netherlands and the maroon unit must quickly assess their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses on the day of play.

“I’m a strong believer and playing the situation. I wouldn’t say that we have to play in any particular way in any particular innings. It’s about assessing the conditions quickly and seeing what the opposition is throwing at you, first of all.

“Then, find the best way to score runs. It’s about trying to find the best plan and what would work on that particular day. Because everyday something can be different. It’s about adapting quickly and finding the best to go about scoring runs,” said Hope.

Both Pooran and Hope are wicketkeeper/batsmen and it hasn’t been confirmed who will wear the gloves for the opening ODI.

On sharing the leadership with the newly appointed captain, Hope added, “We would have to see how it works over time. The way how it works here is that we tend to share ideas whether it’s from the guy who’s now coming into the team or someone who has 200 games under their belt.

“We think that if you have any ideas that can help the team that you should always share with our peers. It’s about finding that balance. We always had that communication going from the time we all started playing together.”

He closed, “I do believe that we have the personnel to get the job done. Everyone is obviously willing to change or adapt to different situations for what the team requires.”

WI team vs Netherlands

Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Shermon Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Anderson Phillip, Rovman Powell, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr.

WI ODI Series vs Netherlands at VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen:

May 31: 1st ODI

June 2: 2nd ODI

June 4: 3rd ODI