Kavem Hodge scored his maiden Test century in Nottingham on Friday, helping the West Indies make a significant challenge to England’s first innings total on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge.
At stumps, the West Indies had reached 351-5 in response to England’s 416, trailing by 65 runs. Hodge, who was dropped on 16, went on to score 120 in his seventh Test innings.
“It feels amazing. It is always good to contribute to the team, especially coming off the first Test when we didn’t do so well as a batting unit,” Hodge told Sky Sports.
The 31-year-old shared a crucial 175-run partnership with fellow Windward Islands batsman Alick Athanaze, who was dismissed for 82 just short of his first Test century. The partnership demonstrated the resilience many feared the West Indies lacked.
“Batting with Alick is always good because he is so aggressive,” said Hodge. “The attention goes away from me and I can bat under the radar.”
Hodge, whose previous highest Test score was 71 in a thrilling win over Australia in Brisbane earlier this year, praised his concentration and ability to play long innings. “My strength in batting is my powers of concentration. I love batting for a long time… I enjoy playing the waiting game,” he added.
The partnership between Athanaze and Hodge began when the West Indies were struggling at 84-3, despite favorable conditions including a good pitch, sunny weather, and a fast outfield.
England, without their long-time pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who retired after last year’s Ashes, had Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson sharing the new ball. Anderson’s retirement left a significant gap, as he ended his Test career with 704 wickets, the most by any fast bowler. Broad, alongside Anderson, had taken a combined 1,308 Test wickets.
Shoaib Bashir made an early impact for the West Indies, dismissing Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie with rash shots in his first Test innings on home soil. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite was also out for 48, caught by Ollie Pope at short leg off a rising delivery from Atkinson.
Despite several missed opportunities, including a dropped catch by Joe Root off Hodge’s edge and a helmet blow by Mark Wood on 48, Hodge reached his century with a pull shot for four and a straight drive for another boundary, before eventually being dismissed lbw by Woakes.
The West Indies, at 305-5, had already surpassed their combined total of 257 from two innings at Lord’s. Woakes ended the day with 1-59 from 18 overs, while Wood, who bowled at speeds exceeding 93 mph (150 km/h), returned 0-51 in 14.1 overs before leaving the field due to cramp.
