(Source X)
Kavem Hodge shared insights into the daunting challenge posed by Mark Wood’s blistering pace during the second Test match between England and the West Indies. Hodge described facing deliveries exceeding 90 mph from Wood as “brutal,” highlighting the intensity of the encounter. Despite this, he expressed immense satisfaction in achieving his maiden century amidst such tough conditions.
Mark Wood, stepping in for the retired James Anderson in the playing XI at Trent Bridge, made a significant impact. He recorded the fastest over bowled by an Englishman on home soil and clocked a remarkable speed of 97.1 mph on the second day of the Test. Wood’s fiery spell nearly resulted in dismissing Kavem Hodge in the 42nd over, with a catch opportunity missed by Joe Root at slips adding to the drama of the match.
Reflecting on the day’s play, Kavem Hodge shared a light-hearted moment he had with Mark Wood. saying he had “a wife and kids at home.” Hodge stated that his century was especially satisfying given the brutal nature of Test cricket.
“It was brutal. It’s not every day you rock up and you face someone who’s bowling more than 90mph every single ball. There was one point when I made a joke to him, I said: ‘Hey, I have a wife and kids at home.’ But I think that made the century a lot more satisfying. Test cricket is brutal, it’s challenging, it’s mentally draining. To experience that, facing guys like Mark Wood, it was tough but it was satisfying,” said Hodge after the end of day two.
Kavem Hodge’s maiden Test century proved pivotal as he rescued the West Indies from a precarious position of 84-3 in their first innings. Partnering with Alick Athanaze, who scored a brisk 82 off 99 balls, Hodge forged a crucial 175-run partnership for the fourth wicket. His innings of 120 runs off 171 balls came to an end in the final session of Day 2, dismissed by Chris Woakes.
Despite Mark Wood’s menacing bowling, which kept the West Indies batsmen on their toes, he remained wicketless after sending down 14.1 overs. By the close of play on Day 2, the visiting team had amassed 351 runs for the loss of five wickets. This effort has narrowed England’s lead to just 65 runs, with Joshua da Silva (32*) and Jason Holder (23*) set to resume batting in the next session.
Kavem Hodge recounted that he experienced a surreal moment after reaching 97 runs, where he deliberately blanked his mind and concentrated solely on the present. The West Indies all-rounder added that even after the celebrations, he found himself pinching to ensure it wasn’t a dream.
“It was amazing. I think from 97 I blanked out… I was just trying my best to stay in the moment and he bowled a big, booming inswinger and everything was just a blur, everything just happened in the moment. I told Jason I was still pinching myself after the celebration, I hadn’t grasped it yet,” Hodge added.
This performance marks a significant turnaround for the West Indies, especially after their heavy defeat by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s. Led by Kraigg Brathwaite, the team currently trails 1-0 in the ongoing three-match series.
