"Hey, I have a wife and kids" - Kavem Hodge recalls joking with Mark Wood during hostile spell in 2nd ENG vs WI Test
West Indies all-rounder Kavem Hodge was at the receiving end of a fiery spell by the returning Mark Wood on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Friday, July 20. The right-handed batter showed a lot of tenacity to record his maiden Test hundred to help the visitors post a strong response against England's first-innings tally of 416.
Wood, who came into the playing XI in place of the retired James Anderson, made the speed guns work hard right from the word go. He bowled the fastest over by an English bowler on home soil, with newbie Mikyle Louis having had to bear the brunt of it.
The speedster averaged 96.5 mph in the historic over and maintained his high pace throughout the innings. He was close to dismissing Hodge in the 42nd over of the innings, but Joe Root spilled a regulation chance at slips. Hodge held his ground and survived at the crease to make the most of the reprieve and convert the start into a hundred.
"It was brutal. It is not everyday that you rock up and you face someone that is pacing over 90, that's bowling 90 miles an hour every single ball. There was one point when I made a joke with him. I said, 'Hey, I have a wife and kids. I just had to laugh, but it was good," Hodge said during the press conference at the end of Day 2.
"I think it made this century a lot more satisfying. We know that Test cricket is brutal. It's challenging, it is mentally draining. But to actually experience that with facing guys like Mark Wood, it was tough, but it was satisfying," he added.
Despite a brilliant spell that troubled the Windies batters with numerous plays and misses, Wood ended up wicketless from his 14.1 overs, conceding 51 runs.
Meanwhile, Hodge was dismissed by Chris Woakes in the final session of the day. He scored 120 runs off 171 deliveries with the aid of 19 fours.
"I think from 97 I blanked out" - Kavem Hodge on scoring his maiden Test hundred
After failing to cross the 150-run mark in the series opener at Lord's, West Indies had to stitch together a strong comeback with the bat, and the conditions certainly helped them make a point.
The Windies were placed precariously at 84-3 after 25 overs at one point, but Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge's 174-run stand for the fourth wicket ensured a fruitful day for them.
"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 said
West Indies ended Day 2 on 351-5, and now trail the hosts by only 65 runs. Joshua da Silva and Jason Holder are currently sharing the crease.