Just going to enjoy my Test cricket again - Shai Hope

"Like a breath of fresh air" is how Shai Hope describes to Cricbuzzthe West Indian Test dressing room that he's returned to for the first time in three-and-a-half years. The stylish Bajan right-hander last donned the whites in December 2021 in Galle. Only three members apart from himself still remain in the current Test squad. Three Bajans, the ageless Kraigg Brathwaite, new captain Roston Chase and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

It was the classy batter's 38th Test and would be his last for a while as he took a break from the format, having also lost his place in the team once before. It was mainly to focus his energies on other formats, which he has done with great success. He remains one of the foremost ODI batters of this generation while also transforming himself into a highly-billed T20 batter, which has even led to him now taking over as West Indies captain in the shortest international format.

When Hope scored hundreds in each innings in a famous win at Headingley nearly eight years ago, it looked like the West Indies had found themselves the next superstar to build their future around. That's when his average peaked at 35 only to go southwards quickly, and end up in the mid-20s by the time he played last against Sri Lanka. And now he comes back into the mix to bat at No 6 and keep wickets for the first time in Test cricket. Ask him about the glory of Leeds, and he shuts it down, insisting that he doesn't want to talk about the past.

"Honestly, I don't want to carry any baggage from before. Look at this as a new chapter. Yes, you're going to take some learnings from the past and things that you always want to take with you moving forward. New chapter, new cycle, new campaign, new captain, new head coach. Let's just start from a fresh page and let's hope we can start this one in flying colours," the soft-spoken 31-year-old tells Cricbuzz.

To say that bringing Hope back into the Test mix is based more on potential than performance would be an understatement. He's after all played only four first-class games since his last Test, between late 2021 to the middle of 2025, two of those coming for Yorkshire in the County Championship in 2023, where he made two half-century scores. His last one for Barbados coming earlier this year in March where he did keep wickets as well, returning scores of 16 and 20.

"I still believe cricket is cricket regardless of what format of the game you play. There are different elements in the game that you need to adapt and assess. Like I always say, in the T20 format it's different challenge to ODIs and Tests, same thing. So, it's about understanding those adaptations that are required and be willing to accept them. Especially playing against the Aussies. They're a quality team and something that I'm looking forward to. First time back, nothing better than playing against one of the best teams in the world. And that too in front of me home fans here at the Kensington Oval, where I also made my debut 10 years ago," says Hope, who for the record averages a staggering 49.32 in 139 ODIs.

There is precedence to Hope focusing on a specific format, which he wasn't deemed to be good enough for or suited to, only for him to start dominating it. Like he did with T20 cricket. For years, he was looked at not having the right tempo or the skill sets to succeed in the shortest format, especially in the fashion in which West Indian T20I teams have gone about their business. Now, Hope has become an integral member of the two-time T20 World Cup winning team, as the leader of the side, and is also coming of another IPL campaign, where he's now looked at as hot property. And he believes he can do the same again in Test cricket, despite having spent years away from it.

"I'm just one of those guys who if I put my mind to something, I always feel like I can achieve it. So, it's not far-fetched in the sense that I believe I'm coming back, I don't know what to expect. I'm always going to back myself. Back my ability. Believe in the skills that I have. I have done it before. There's also some comfort in when you've achieved something in the format, and you've had success. It's just about trying find that mojo and vibe because cricket is all about the mental side of things," he explains.

"I just want to enjoy the processes, the training sessions, the challenges in the nets, embrace all the difficult times and embrace all the good times. I'm not going to look too far ahead. Just enjoy my Test cricket again and contribute wins and runs for the guys," he adds.

There's also a bigger picture to Hope playing Test cricket again, even if it's in a slightly different capacity to where he was in his previous run. He is no longer the premier batter in this team. But at a time so many young players, batters in particular, in the Caribbean are swayed by the riches and the allure of T20 league cricket, to see someone of Hope's overall stature embrace the traditional format is setting a rather prime example for those to follow. And he sees the value in that too.

"For sure. It's the pinnacle of cricket, yes. We as people are very proud of the West Indies. Something that we always stress on. Cricket bringing the entire region together. And that also relates to my presence back in this team. It's been a while since I have been playing, coming back together, there's almost a feeling as though there's a breath of fresh air coming out," he says.

"The new generation coming through, there's so much distraction from Test cricket because of the shorter formats. So it's very important that we still let them see the importance of playing the longer format. It does give you a different sense of skill and challenges. That's why it's called the big Test. It also transfers and translates into the shorter formats, the skills."

There's also the other business of bringing more fans into Test cricket, and to reinvigorate the love for Test cricket in the region after years of apathy from many generations owing to the lack of success for the team. Hope knows exactly what Test victories mean to people across the cricket-playing Caribbean islands and the impact they have on them.

"We are very proud people in the Caribbean. As long as we're doing well, everyone is happy. You see people walking around in the streets talking about West Indies cricket, talking about Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, those guys who were legends, Lara's cover drives and Marshall's bouncers, we can reignite that passion. It's a highlight for people's days and weeks. That's what I am looking forward to do," he says.

The best illustration of that being the last Test the West Indies played against Australia, last February at the Gabba that resulted in one of their more famous wins of the 21st century. Hope remembers exactly where he was when Shamar Joseph famously bowled out Australia in Brisbane, and also how it raised the spirits of West Indians past and present.

"I was in Bangladesh finishing up with the BPL. I saw some of the scores. And wondering if we could do it. I was on the plane, getting ready to board. When I saw the scores, I went wow we actually pulled this one off. It's a big inspiration for the younger generation. To come from nowhere and to see what he can achieve. Very skilled bowler, still has a lot to learn but he's one of those ones who can really make an impact for West Indies cricket," he reveals.

"And to have some of those legends of the game crying and seeing that joy being brought back to the region, that's what we're trying to instil into all of the West Indian fans and even cricket fans. Everyone talks about a strong West Indies being the biggest things on their minds if they are from a different country. Being their second-favourite team in the world. As long as we're doing well, I'm sure world cricket will be very happy."