Kavem Hodge etched his name into the annals of Test cricket on Friday, smashing his maiden century as West Indies staged a valiant fightback against England at Trent Bridge. The second Test saw England, playing their first match since James Anderson’s retirement, hoping for a swift victory. However, Hodge’s stellar performance, coupled with a crucial partnership, gave West Indies a fighting chance.
Hodge, dropped on 16, exhibited remarkable composure and determination, amassing a magnificent 120 runs in his seventh Test innings. He forged a vital 175-run stand with fellow Windward Islands batsman Alick Athanaze (82), who narrowly missed out on his maiden Test century. The pair displayed exceptional skill and grit, traits that some pundits feared were absent from the West Indies squad.
Their partnership emerged just before lunch, a crucial moment for West Indies who were reeling at 84-3. This was a situation where England would have usually called upon the veteran Anderson, who had amassed 704 wickets in his illustrious Test career. However, Anderson’s retirement, coupled with Stuart Broad’s absence, presented a fresh challenge for England.
The onus fell on Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, who had made an impressive Test debut at Lord’s. England captain Ben Stokes opted for off-spinner Shoaib Bashir as a second change bowler, a move that yielded early success with the dismissals of Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite fell for 48, fending a rising Atkinson delivery straight to Ollie Pope. However, just as England benefitted from dropped catches in the previous day, Hodge received a reprieve when he edged a delivery from Mark Wood only for Joe Root to miss a straightforward catch.
Athanaze, who had made 48, was struck on the helmet by a rapid Wood bouncer, but he recovered to complete his maiden Test fifty. With Hodge following suit, the pair pushed West Indies closer to England’s first innings total.
The partnership was finally broken when Stokes, who didn’t bowl until the 50th over, dismissed Athanaze. Hodge, however, continued his valiant effort, reaching his century with a powerful drive for four.
His century was ultimately cut short by Woakes, but by then West Indies had amassed 305-5, significantly surpassing their combined total of 257 runs in the two innings at Lord’s.
England’s bowlers were left frustrated. Woakes finished the day with 1-59, while Wood, who consistently bowled at speeds over 93 mph, was unable to secure a wicket.
West Indies’ resilient fightback ensured an enthralling contest heading into the third day, leaving the hosts with much to ponder as they seek to avoid another upset.
