West Indies vs England 2nd Test Day 2 Hodge’s Century Dominates

West Indies vs England 2nd Test Day 2 Hodge's Century Dominates

England and the West Indies had a fascinating match on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge, with the visitors seizing the initiative with a strong batting display. The West Indies finished the day at 351/5 in their first innings, trailing England’s 416 by just 65 runs. The day’s highlight was a majestic maiden Test century by Kavem Hodge, supported by a resilient 82 from Alick Athanaze.

Match Summary

West Indies (1st Innings)                                   351/5 (84) Overs

Kavem Hodge
120 (171)

Shoaib Bashir
2/100 (23)

Alick Athanaze
82 (99)

Gus Atkinson
1/77 (16.5)

Kraigg Brathwaite (c)
48 (72)

Ben Stokes
1/61 (12)

Joshua Da Silva
32 (35)

Chris Woakes
1/59 (18)

Jason Holder
23 (67)

Mark Wood
0/51 (14.1)

Morning Session England Struggles to Break Through

The West Indies began the day at 84/3, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis navigating through the initial overs. England’s bowlers, led by Mark Wood’s blistering pace, applied early pressure. However, Shoaib Bashir made the first breakthrough, dismissing Louis for 21 with a sharp delivery that found the edge.

Alick Athanaze joined Brathwaite at the crease and stabilized the innings together. Brathwaite played a cautious knock but was eventually dismissed for 48 by Gus Atkinson just before lunch, leaving the West Indies at a precarious 89/3.

Afternoon Session Hodge and Athanaze Shine

The post-lunch session belonged to the West Indies, thanks to a remarkable partnership between Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze. Hodge played with composure and elegance, driving confidently and punishing loose deliveries. Athanaze complemented him perfectly, displaying solid technique and temperament. Their partnership of 123 runs for the fourth wicket turned the tide in favor of the visitors.

Mark Wood continued to bowl with fiery intent, clocking speeds above 90 mph but remained wicketless. Hodge was given a life when Joe Root dropped a catch at slip when he was on 16, a costly miss. Athanaze, meanwhile, had a scare when he was hit on the helmet by a Wood bouncer but recovered quickly. Both batsmen went to tea with West Indies comfortably placed at 212/3.

Evening Session England’s Woes Continue

The final session saw Kavem Hodge reach his maiden Test century with a beautifully driven boundary off Ben Stokes. His celebration was a mixture of relief and joy. Hodge’s innings was a masterclass in patience and precision, showcasing his potential at the highest level. Athanaze continued to bat fluently but fell for 82, chasing a wide delivery from Stokes and edging to Harry Brook at gully. This ended a superb 175-run partnership and provided England with a much-needed breakthrough.

Jason Holder joined Hodge at the crease and played a supporting role, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Hodge eventually fell for 120, trapped lbw by Chris Woakes. Joshua Da Silva and Holder saw off the remaining overs of the day, with the former finishing unbeaten on 32 and the latter on 23. The West Indies ended the day at 351/5, just 65 runs behind England’s total, with a strong chance of taking a first-innings lead.

Key Performances

  • Kavem Hodge: His maiden Test century was the highlight of the day. His 120 was a blend of elegance and resilience.
  • Alick Athanaze: His 82 was crucial in stabilizing the innings after early wickets.
  • Mark Wood: Although wicketless, his pace and hostility were commendable.
  • Chris Woakes: The pick of the bowlers for England, picking up crucial wickets and maintaining a disciplined line and length.

Looking Ahead

With three days of play remaining, the 2nd Test is finely poised. The West Indies will build on their strong position and aim for a significant first-innings lead. England must regroup and take the remaining wickets quickly to minimize the deficit. The Trent Bridge pitch has offered something for both batsmen and bowlers, and the match promises more twists and turns. For now, it’s an advantage for West Indies, thanks to a splendid batting display led by Hodge and Athanaze.