Watch the first Test between Windies and England on Wednesday at 1pm, live on Sky Sports Cricket
Monday 21 January 2019 21:50, UK
Windies batsman Shai Hope has admitted he briefly considered qualifying to play for England earlier in his career.
The 25-year-old made his Windies debut in 2015 against England in a series-drawing victory and, two years later, he made history with centuries in both innings at Headingley.
Hope will be attempting to give Joe Root's side another headache when the first Test begins at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday - live on Sky Sports Cricket - but it could have easily been a different story for the Barbadian.
Scouted at the age of 16, Hope was brought to England to study at Bede's School in Eastbourne, and after captaining their first XI to two national finals, he pondered the possibility of remaining in the country and becoming eligible to represent it.
"At that particular stage, it crossed my mind," he said.
"You've got to look around at your competitors and see who's vying for the same positions as you. It was a thought. But I never really wanted to do that.
"You want to play international cricket, but as a West Indian you want to play for the West Indies. I wouldn't do anything different. I'm pleased with my decision."
Had two other high-profile Barbadian talents, Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer, come to similar conclusions in recent years it is conceivable both might have been lining up alongside Hope this week.
Instead, Jordan is a Twenty20 regular for England and Archer looks to be in contention for Eoin Morgan's side after he becomes eligible in the coming months.
Both have an English parent and unique circumstances and Hope does not bemoan their loss to the Caribbean cause.
"I'm good friends with both of them," he added. "It's cricket and they seized their opportunity so I'm sure they're happy with where they are right now.
"It's their choice. They're human beings and they have a mind for themselves. It's up to them."
Watch England's tour of the Caribbean live on Sky Sports this winter, starting with the first Test in Barbados from 1pm on Wednesday.
