Fans go gaga as Shai Hope hammers brilliant century to lift West Indies on day four of Christchurch Test against New Zealand
In the grip opening test West Indies tour of New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Shai Hope delivered a decisive performance on the fourth day. New Zealand posted 231 in their first innings, with Kane Williamson best score with 52, before West Indies responded with 167, highlighted by Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s 52 and Hope’s 56 in the first innings. The hosts then dominated their second dig, declaring at 466 for 8 after centuries of Tom Latham (145) and Rachin Ravindra (176), setting West Indies a monumental victory target of 531 runs, the fourth highest chase in Test history.
Shai Hope’s fiery hundred on day four of the Christchurch Test
Hope anchored West Indies’ second innings amid early collapses, reaching his fourth Test century with an elegant backwards push off Ravindra in 56.4, finishing unbeaten on 116 from 183 balls with 15 fours and a six. Cope with sewing conditions and minimal support – lose John Campbell (15), Tagénarine Chanderpaul (6), Alick Athanaze (5), and captain Roston Chase (4) to finish at 212 for 4 after 74 overs – Hope’s resolute knock, his first in the fourth innings, silenced the critics and echoed his earlier tons against England and Bangladesh. Justin Greaves provided solid resistance with 55 not out, forging a crucial fifth wicket stand of 140 runs as the last 10 overs yielded just 18 runs at 1.80. Fans erupted online, praising Hope’s “mission mode” resilience despite an eye infection that briefly sidelined him.
Here’s how fans reacted:
– T20I Hundred against Australia.
– Test Hundred against India in India.
– ODI Hundred against Pakistan.
– ODI Hundred against New Zealand in New Zealand.
– Test Hundred against New Zealand in New Zealand.ONE AND ONLY SHAI HOPE IN 2025 – A main man for the ICC Cricketer of the Year award. 🥇 pic.twitter.com/RuG1OfPPbr
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 5, 2025
Best draw! 🌟💫
Shai Hope with his fourth Test century 💯 and crucial in the context of the game. #NZvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/DnSEHGXTMU
– Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 5, 2025
Among the 3 best hitters in the world rn ??
Carrying WI on his back… Shai Hope is classy 👏 pic.twitter.com/UGY77P7OFX
-Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) December 5, 2025
Shai Hope still stands as a pillar for West Indies whenever they need him in all 3 formats, all conditions and opponents!!
This man deserves more🐐🔥 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/NPqYIfcIHD
– R🐐 (@141ovalclassic) December 3, 2025
– 2nd most international race in 2025.
– 5 Cents in 2025.
– 9 fifty in 2025.
– Test Hundred in India.
– Test Hundred in New Zealand.
– T20I Hundred vs AUS.
– ODI Hundred in New Zealand.
– Hundred against Pakistan.WHAT A YEAR FOR SHAI HOPE – ONE OF THE TOP COMPETITORS FOR ICC CRICKETER OF THE YEAR. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/sqBARM6PIT
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) December 5, 2025
Shai Hope in the last 3 rounds:
103
56
110*Is he finally living up to his potential in Test cricket? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MqbqbI51id
– Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) December 5, 2025
4th Ton Test for Shai Hope 💯#Cricket #ShaiHope #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/f7JhMNVPvz
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 5, 2025
Most international centuries this decade
◎ 26: Joe Root
◎ 19: Shubman Gill
◎ 17: Babar Azam
◉ 14: Shai Hope
◎ 14: Virat Kohli
◎ 14: Steve Smith
◎ 14: Kane Williamson
◎ 14: Travis’ head pic.twitter.com/YNGjTvWQ2z– The Cricket Panda (@TheCricketPanda) December 5, 2025
– Eye infection
– From 72/4
– Pursue 531 racesShai Hope: Hold my 108* 🔥 pic.twitter.com/umVGH9voRm
– Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) December 5, 2025
Shai Hope talks about his 4th Test 100, a fighting innings in a very difficult match situation. pic.twitter.com/9kLGa6qZlC
– Prateem Bhattacharjee 🇮🇳🚩 (@PBTheBanglaBoy) December 5, 2025
ALSO READ: Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra score dazzling centuries as New Zealand take command on day three of first Test against West Indies
West Indies’ daring chase attempt keeps contest alive
West Indies began the mammoth chase, reaching 20 for 0 at lunch with Campbell and Chanderpaul cautious against Mat Henri And Jacob Duffy. Disaster struck after lunch as Duffy struck twice earlier – with Campbell going close Michael Bracewell at 24 for 1 in 12.5 overs, then Chanderpaul caught by Latham at 25 for 2 next – before Bracewell removed Athanaze at 55 for 3. Chase fell to Henry at 72 for 4 in 28.3 overs, leaving Hope to rebuild with Greaves amid the Test bounce at Hagley Oval.
Hope’s fifty from 72 balls fueled 100 in 37.6 overs, their partnership of fifty in 93 balls rose to 100 in 173, passing 150 in 53.1 overs and 200 in 66.6. Greaves landed his fifty deliveries off 123, but New Zealand’s bowlers – Duffy (2-65), Bracewell (1-54), Henry (1-29) – kept the required run rate above seven. At stumps, West Indies needed 319 more with six wickets intact, current rate 2.86, as Hope’s venture offered faint hopes of eclipsing the record of 285 fourth innings at Hagley Oval. The final day promises tension, with New Zealand eyeing rapid breakthroughs.
ALSO READ: West Indies bowling attack crushes New Zealand batting order to dominate opening day of Christchurch Test
