West Indies Fight Back in Second TestWest Indies Fight Back in Second Test Kavem Hodge’s maiden Test century propelled West Indies to a resilient display on the second day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge. Hodge’s Ton Inspires Revival After conceding a substantial lead of 416 runs in the first Test, West Indies faced a daunting challenge in Nottingham. However, Hodge’s determined knock of 120 provided the impetus for a spirited fightback. He shared a crucial 175-run partnership with Alick Athanaze, which laid the foundation for West Indies’ response. Wood’s Pace Sets the Stage England’s Mark Wood made an immediate impact, delivering the fastest-ever recorded overs in English conditions, with speeds exceeding 90 mph. Despite Wood’s relentless assault, opener Mikyle Louis showed resilience, scoring 21 before falling to spinner Shoaib Bashir. Steady Accumulation Hodge and Athanaze weathered the storm, with Athanaze particularly impressive with his aggressive strokeplay. They scored 123 runs without losing a wicket in the afternoon session, forcing England to rotate their bowlers. England’s Toil Proves Fruitless James Anderson, England’s veteran paceman, spectated from the pavilion as his teammates struggled to make a breakthrough. Despite Wood and Atkinson’s efforts, Hodge and Athanaze remained firm. Hodge’s Milestone Hodge reached his first Test century with a stylish drive off Ben Stokes. The West Indian batter celebrated with an emotional embrace from teammate Jason Holder. West Indies Resume on Saturday Hodge’s eventual dismissal to Chris Woakes left West Indies trailing by 65 runs. However, Jason Holder (23 not out) and Joshua Da Silva (32 not out) forged an unbeaten 46-run stand before stumps. The match resumes on Saturday, with West Indies aiming to continue their resistance and England seeking to regain the initiative.
NOTTINGHAM, England — Kavem Hodge’s maiden Test century was the starting signal for West Indies’ determination as they moved 351-5 behind England by 65 runs on the second day at Trent Bridge on Friday.
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The visitors surrendered in the first Test at Lord’s last week and conceded 416 goals to England on Thursday.
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But despite a 97mph attack by bowler Mark Wood, who twice broke his own record for the fastest ball overshot in English conditions, West Indies finally won a day in the series.
Hodge scored a dogged 120 after being run out on 16 by Joe Root. Hodge’s stand of 175 with Alick Athanaze in a wicketless middle session was the driving force behind the West Indian counter-attack.
Wood made his first appearance in the 10th over, hitting 93mph with his first ball and averaging 94mph in his first three overs, drawing cheers from the stands as his top speed was shown on the big screen.
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After surviving Wood’s onslaught, opener Mikyle Louis relaxed enough to chase spinner Shoaib Bashir and hit his way up to the leg side. On 21, Louis was caught by Harry Brook.
Bashir claimed second place just before lunch when Kirk McKenzie was beaten by a ridiculous backheel on 11 and Gus Atkinson dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite, who hit a bouncer to short leg on 48.
From 89-3 at lunch, West Indies produced their best stretch of cricket since landing in the country this month. Athanaze was particularly pleasing to watch, leaning into drives and sending the ball behind square, while Hodge produced a flintier knock at the other end.
Together they scored 123 runs in a wicketless afternoon session, forcing the television cameras to focus on England pacer James Anderson, who was watching from the pavilion.
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Wood and Atkinson clashed for a long time and only occasional mishaps occurred, although Athanaze did fall backwards after his helmet rattled.
After a 175-run stand, Athanaze eventually went down for 82, sending Ben Stokes to the gully.
“I’m really happy for Alick,” Hodge said. “He’s so aggressive that the attention goes away from me and I can fly under the radar. We complement each other really well.”
Hodge reached three figures from 143 balls with a fine on-drive from Stokes, circling the stumps at the non-striker’s end and leaping into Jason Holder’s bear hug on the way back.
“It was amazing. From 97 onwards I was a little bit off,” Hodge said. “I was just trying to stay in the moment. Everything was a blur. I told Jason I still had to pinch myself, even after the celebration I still didn’t get it. It was still like a dream.”
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Hodge eventually lost to Chris Woakes lbw at the end of the day, his 120 from 171 balls containing 19 boundaries.
Holder, 23 not out, and Joshua Da Silva, 32 not out, nibbled away at England’s remaining lead in a stand of 46 that resumes on Saturday.
Reliable ball-tracking data has only been available in England since 2006. Wood is responsible for the five fastest overs, after similarly successful performances at Lord’s in 2021 and at Headingley during last year’s Ashes.
He did everything he could to force a breakthrough, but ultimately he left the field with difficulty with figures of 0-51 from 14.1 overs.
All the English bowlers struggled.
Woakes, Anderson’s successor as leader of the attack, struggled to create consistent danger, Atkinson’s Midas touch from the first Test was lacking and Bashir failed to make a single maiden as his 23 overs cost exactly 100.
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