West Indies batsman Shai Hope on Wednesday (January 23) revealed that he could have been playing for England, as he contemplated altering allegiance like Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan to pursue a career with the Three Lions while on a two-year scholarship at Sussex.

Hope spent two years on a sports scholarship at Bede's School in Eastbourne having been scouted by former Sussex captain Alan Wells at 16 - having won a sixth-form scholarship on the basis of his cricket.

Hope enjoyed a great time in 2012 and 2013, scoring heavily and captaining the school team in England, and he realized the benefit of being in the UK, and even he made up the mood of remaining in the country and qualify to play for England national cricket team at international level.

However, Hope later changed his mind, saying his heart was always with the West Indies and wanted to represent his birth country in international cricket and he has no regrets over his decision.

Hope revealed, “You've got to look around at your competitors and see who's vying for the same positions as you. And at that particular stage, it crossed my mind. It was a thought.”

The 25-year-old continued, “I'm good friends with Chris and Jofra. 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. But I never really wanted to do that. I always wanted to play for the West Indies. I'm a West Indian. I grew up here and I want to play for West Indies. I wouldn't do anything different. I'm pleased with my decision.”

Meanwhile, the right-hander had a memorable Test debut against England at 21 in 2015, celebrating a series-drawing victory in Barbados, and then, he made history with hundreds in both innings during an unforgettable underdog success at Headingley two years later.

Hope, who is regarded as one of the hottest properties in West Indies cricket, would like to give another reminder of his talents to England when his team will take on the lions in the first Test of three-match series at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday (January 23). He said that the hosts are going into the Test series as underdogs and if Windies wins this match, it would be more special for him than Headingley.

He signed off by saying, “Headingley is history and in the past. It's about progressing and adapting to each set of conditions, I know we are underdogs so it will be even more special to win this first game.”

(With Sky Sports Inputs)