“Really hope these long days pay off” – Kavem Hodge’s 2015 tweet goes viral after his maiden Test century in ENG vs WI 2nd Test
West Indies middle order batter Kavem Hodge’s old tweet has gone viral after he smashed his maiden Test hundred on Day 2 of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Friday, July 19. Hodge, who is playing just his fourth Test, scored 120 off 171 balls with the help of 19 boundaries. The 31-year-old also shared a brilliant 175-run partnership with Alick Athanaze to rescue the visitors from 84-3.
In a May 2015 post, Kavem Hodge wrote on X:
“Really hope these long days pay off.”
Following his century, Hodge called it a dream come true. He said (via ESPNCricinfo):
"It's a dream come true, you play the game from a youngster growing up that's something that you want to do, especially at the highest level, in England against England."
"I'm really happy and satisfied about it, especially also the position of the team, it's always good to help the team's cause," he added.
Hodge further revealed his ordeal with Mark Wood, who kept challenging him with 90 mph-plus short deliveries. He said:
"It was brutal. It's not every day you rock up and you face someone that's bowling more than 90 mph every single ball. There was one point, 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."
The Dominica-born player added:
“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."
Kavem Hodge had returned with scores of 24 and four in the opening Test, where the Windies lost by an innings and 114 runs.
Notably, the right-hander made his debut against Australia earlier this year. He has an impressive first-class record, scoring 3,239 runs in 64 games, comprising five tons and 18 half-centuries.
Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze help West Indies fight back against England
Fighting knocks from Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze helped the West Indies fight back against England on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test. Athanaze scored 82 off 99 deliveries, hitting one six and 10 boundaries. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite also chipped in with 48 off 72.
At stumps on Day 2, the visitors were 351/5, with Jason Holder (23 off 67) and Joshua Da Silva (32 off 35) at the crease.
Asked to bat first, England posted 416 in their first innings. Ollie Pope starred with the bat, scoring 121 off 167 balls, comprising one six and 15 boundaries. Ben Duckett and captain Ben Stokes also chipped in with 71 (59) and 69 (104), respectively. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes, Jamie Smith and Harry Brook also came up with handy contributions with scores in the 30s.
Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the West indies bowlers, returning with figures of 3/98, while Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair and Kavem Hodge bagged two apiece.
Follow the ENG vs WI 2nd Test live score and updates here.