Shai Hope returns to Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|16

West Indies ODI and T20I captain Shai Hope is returning to the Hobart Hurricanes for BBL|16, with the experienced international wicketkeeper-batter set to join the club for the full campaign.

Hope will once more don the Hurricanes' purple two years after playing in five games during the 2024–25 championship season. He will bring international experience and leadership to a top order that has changed since Matthew Wade retired.

Hope, 32, has established himself as a key figure in West Indies cricket and currently captains his country in both ODI and T20I formats.

The right-hander has become an increasingly influential player for the West Indies at the top of the order. In T20 internationals, he has struck for more than 136 runs and scored more than 1700 runs.

Hope first joined the Hurricanes for BBL|14, playing five matches before his campaign was cut short by overseas commitments.

Following Wade's retirement, he was a top priority for the Hurricanes to sign because of his international experience, leadership skills, and ability to contribute with the bat and gloves. His full-season availability added even more value.

Salliann Beams, Cricket Tasmania's General Manager of High Performance, stated that Hope had been a major target for the Hurricanes as they attempted to restructure their top order.

Beams stated, "We knew we needed to add an experienced player who could have an impact at the top of the order and also provide us with another quality wicketkeeping option" following Matthew's retirement. "Shai ticks both those boxes."

“We saw the quality and experience he brings during his first stint with us, and his T20 game has continued to improve since then.

Importantly, Shai's availability throughout the tournament provides us with real stability. We are thrilled to welcome him back to Hobart because he already knows our environment and a few of the players.

Hope said it was exciting to have the chance to play a full season with the Hurricanes again.

Hope stated, "I’m very excited to be returning to the Hurricanes for BBL|16." He added, "I really enjoyed my time in Hobart a couple of seasons ago."

“I'm looking forward to getting back into the environment and building on those relationships because it's a great group and I already know a number of the guys.

“The club has obviously enjoyed some great success since I was last there, and I’m looking forward to getting back to Hobart, contributing wherever I can and doing everything I can to help the team have another successful season.”