He wasn’t supposed to be in the team, since his side had used up their full quota of foreign players. He wasn’t even supposed to be in the country, as news came in that his father was unwell.
But play he did, in spite of the stories doing the rounds before the match. What’s more, James Hopes played a crucial part in his team’s victory, hitting the winning runs to give the Delhi Daredevils a rousing three-wicket win over the Pune Warriors. The victory was even sweeter as it was the Daredevils’ first win after two disappointing losses this season, moving them off the foot of the table.
After the win, Hopes dedicated his performance to his father. “I am so glad I could play a role in the win. My Dad wanted me to stay on and play and do my bit,” said the Australian. “He has been a great support for me in tough times. I am happy I could do something to make him feel happy in these difficult days. I am sure he is proud of me today.”
Hopes’ father was diagnosed with bowel cancer earlier in the week, and reports surfaced that the all-rounder might return to Brisbane to be with his father. However, on the insistence of his Dad, Hopes decided to remain with the Daredevils. “I have been speaking to my Dad and family after I got to know on Wednesday. He (Dad) laughed and said, ‘I will kill you if you come back. I want you to play and do well.’ He is in great spirits.”
His decision benefited the Delhi team, as Hopes contributed with both the ball and the bat in his first game of the tournament. His figures of 1/26 at a miserly rate of 6.50 helped stem the flow of runs after Jesse Ryder (60) had got the Pune Warriors off to a terrific start. After being hit for a six, Hopes took the wicket of Mithun Manhas (20) before the right-hander, previously with Delhi, could hurt his former team. He then came in to bat in the penultimate over, with his team needing 21 runs off 11 balls in their pursuit of Pune’s 187/5. The equation came down to 8 off 6, but one six and one four later, Hopes (13*) saw the Daredevils through with four balls to spare.
To think though, that Hopes might not have even been in the playing XI to start with! Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag revealed after the match that only an unfortunate injury to Morne Morkel had led to Hopes’ inclusion in the side. “Morkel got injured, that’s why he didn’t play. Otherwise he would have played. So we included James Hopes as an all-rounder. I think it worked for us.”
A lucky break for Hopes, and indeed for the entire Delhi team!
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