'It was like a dream' - Kavem Hodge delighted with maiden century as West Indies close gap on England
By Ben Southby
Published 19/07/2024 at 20:15 GMT+1
West Indies batsman Kavem Hodge was the star of the show at Trent Bridge on Friday, as the 31-year-old sealed his maiden Test century with a brilliant knock of 120 to help the tourists make up ground on England in the second Test. "I was still pinching myself even after the celebration, I hadn't grasped it yet," Hodge said following the day's action in Nottingham.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
West Indies trail England by 65 runs with five first innings wickets remaining at the end of day two of the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
With England 1-0 ahead in the series after victory in the opening Test at Lord’s, West Indies finished the day on 351 for 5 as Kavem Hodge’s maiden Test century helped spark a terrific fightback.
After the day's play, Hodge said he was delighted to be able to produce such a contribution to breathe some life into the series heading into day three.
"It feels amazing," Hodge told Sky Sports. "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.
"It was important we put our heads down and took some info from the England first innings. We made use of a good batting track."
Hodge, 31, was appearing in only his fourth Test when he completed his century to become the first West Indies batter to do so in England since 2017, according to the ICC.
"It was amazing, I think from 97 I kind of blanked out,” Hodge said as he reflected on the moment he claimed his first Test century.
“I was just trying to stay in the moment and everything was just a blur. I wasn't thinking ahead, I was just in the moment.
"I was still pinching myself even after the celebration, I hadn't grasped it yet. It was still like a dream, I was just happy to put the team in a good position."
Hodge credited the batting team for coming through “tough periods” as they made ground on England.
"I think it was batting through the tough periods, the partnership with Alick [Athanaze] and I, facing Mark Wood,” Hodge added when asked what he was most pleased with about Friday’s display.
"It's not every day you face every single ball over 90mph, it was really important that we batted through that period. We had the momentum, it was really pleasing we got through that period."
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Hodge was fortunate not to be caught by Joe Root and took advantage of his slice of luck to make 120.
He and Alick Athanaze produced an impressive partnership, with the latter making 82, as they put on 175 for the fourth wicket.
Hodge sealed his century when he hit Ben Stokes for four, before erupting in celebration at his achievement with batting partner Jason Holder.
Chris Woakes eventually dismissed the batsman lbw as Holder (23no) and Joshua Da Silva (32no) took West Indies to 351 for 5 at stumps.
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