Kavem Hodge Celebrates Historic Test Century Against England

Kavem Hodge expressed immense joy after attaining his maiden century in Test cricket during a challenging showdown against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. This milestone was achieved on the second day of the series’ second Test match, showcasing Hodge’s talent and determination in a crucial moment for the West Indies.

At 31 years old, and having previously played just three Tests, Hodge described reaching three figures as a “dream come true.” His innings of 120 runs, crafted predominantly during a significant partnership of 175 runs for the fourth wicket with fellow cricketer Alick Athanaze, allowed the West Indies to end the day at a promising score of 351 for 5, challenging the home team by surpassing their first-inning total.

Reflecting on his achievement, Hodge stated, “It’s something you aspire to as a young cricketer. Performing at the highest level, particularly against England on their turf, gives me immense satisfaction. Additionally, contributing positively to the team’s progress is always rewarding.”

Hodge faced a fierce examination from the English bowling attack, notably from Mark Wood, who consistently delivered short balls at a high pace exceeding 90mph. The batter described this experience as “brutal,” emphasizing the physical and mental challenges intrinsic to Test cricket.

“Facing someone like Mark Wood is not an everyday occurrence. There were 29 deliveries sent my way from him, the majority of them fast and short. I even joked with him about having a family waiting for me at home, yet overcoming such challenges makes the accomplishment all the more fulfilling,” Hodge remarked.

The match saw moments of tension, especially when Athanaze, Hodge’s batting partner, was struck on the helmet by Wood’s rapid bowling. Hodge described his own reaction to the incident, revealing he flinched, anticipating the ball would come his way instead. “I was genuinely concerned during that moment, but Athanaze displayed resilience and managed to regain his composure,” he added.

Despite Athanaze falling for 82 runs after edging a delivery from Ben Stokes to gully, Hodge persevered and reached his century with a powerful shot down the ground. His eruption of joy was palpable as he celebrated the achievement, leaping into the arms of Jason Holder in a display of uncontainable excitement.

Hodge recounted the moment he reached 100 runs, stating, “I think I am still pinching myself. When I got to 97, everything became a blur, and all I could focus on was staying in the moment until I could celebrate with my teammates.”

This match marked Hodge’s first appearance in a Test series in England after debuting on the Australian tour earlier in the year. His journey to this point had been fraught with challenges, having been overlooked for selection multiple times in the past.

Reflecting on his prior challenges, Hodge admitted there were moments of self-doubt. “There were instances when I questioned my fate in the game. Repeatedly missing out on selections during warm-up games was tough to bear. The selectors would often express a preference for other players, which wore on me, but I am thankful that I persevered, and now I can witness the fruits of my labor,” he stated.

The West Indies faced skepticism from cricket analysts after poor performances led to them being bowled out for under 150 runs in the previous Test match at Lord’s, a game that concluded in just over seven hours. Nevertheless, Hodge emphasized the team’s focus on learning from their past mistakes and capitalizing on more favorable match conditions.

“We knew how our previous match went, and it was essential for us to maintain a positive mindset. We are not alone in experiencing defeats in Test cricket. The key is to learn and adapt to the new environment, particularly since this is my debut tour to England. When we had the chance to bat well, we had to seize it and make the most of the favorable batting conditions,” said Hodge.

Through determination and skill, Kavem Hodge showcased exemplary cricketing prowess, proving to be an invaluable asset to the West Indies squad during this series against England. His performance not only reshaped perceptions about the team but also set the tone for potential future successes.