After playing one of the greatest innings in ODI history, Windies opener John Campbell is hoping to maintain this success.
On last Sunday (5th May), Windies openers John Campbell and Shai Hope played top-class innings that helped their side to achieve a large ODI victory against the host side Ireland at Dublin.
After Windies were forced to bat first, Campbell and Hope put the highest ever opening partnership in ODI history which was 365 runs. It was also the second highest partnership for any wicket in ODI history.
Playing his sixth ODI, the left-handed opening batsman Campbell scored 179 runs off 137 balls with 15 fours and 6 sixes. It was the fourth highest individual score by a Windies batsman in ODI history.
After playing that fantastic innings, Campbell credited his hard-work over the past few months. The 25-year-old is now hoping to continue this success for a long time.
Campbell said at the post-match press conference, “Words cannot express how I feel right now. It’s been a long time coming. (Since the) past few months, I’ve been putting in the hard-work. I guess I can say I’m reaping the success now.”
I was just thinking about the team and trying to get the team as much runs as possible – John Campbell
It was the opening match of Ireland ODI tri-series (Ireland, Windies and Bangladesh). Campbell and Hope’s giant partnership helped Windies to manage their second highest ODI total of 381/3 (50 overs). While the Player of the Match Campbell scored 179 runs, Hope also scored 170 runs off 152 balls.
Later, the Caribbean bowlers bundled out the home team for just 185 runs (34.4 overs). Off-spinner Ashley Nurse (4/51) and the right-arm pacer Shannon Gabriel (3/44) played crucial roles to bundle out Ireland cheaply. Windies claimed their fourth largest ODI victory (by runs) after winning that match by 196 runs.
After praising his opening partner Shai Hope, Cambell also credited the Windies bowlers for that great victory.
He added, “We had a slow start, it was not smooth sailing at the beginning, the pitch wasn’t the easiest to bat on… but once we got in and started to build a decent partnership, I knew I had to make it count.
“I was just thinking about the team and trying to get the team as much runs as possible. Shai was great. He kept talking to me and I enjoyed every moment at the crease. It was a great way to start the tournament… a very good win for the team… the bowlers did an excellent job to limit them to under 200.”
I’m just looking at it as another opportunity – John Campbell
Campbell made his international debut early in this year. Expectedly he hasn’t been included in the 15-member Windies squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Understanding this fact, Campbell is now focusing on grabbing the other opportunities.
He said, “I’m just looking at it as another opportunity. I’d have loved to be in the World Cup squad. The experienced guys are coming in, so I’m just looking at grabbing this opportunity with both hands.”
England and Wales are ready to host the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup from 30th May to 14th July. The two-time World Cup winners Windies have qualified for this tournament after finishing as the runners-up in the 2018 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Windies will begin their upcoming World Cup journey on 31st May when they will face Pakistan at Trent Bridge (Nottingham).
After completion of the ongoing ODI tri-series in Ireland, Windies will be busy to play the upcoming World Cup. Windies will play their next match in the ongoing tri-series on Tuesday (7th May) when they will face Bangladesh.