ENG vs WI | Caribbean hopes leave firm imprint on Day 2 as Hodge-Athanaze hand Windies advantage
The under-fire West Indies batting lineup showed up with aplomb at Trent Bridge on Friday to rack up 351/5 on the scoreboard, in pursuit of England's 416. Kavem Hodge starred with a maiden Test ton while Alick Athanaze fashioned his way to 82 as part of a pivotal 175-run stand between the duo.
Brief score: WI 351/5 (84) [Hodge 120(171), Athanaze 82(99); Bashir 23-0-100-2] trail ENG 416 by 55 runs at Stumps on Day 2
In their first bowling effort post the James Anderson era, Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson took the new ball against West Indies in sunny conditions. Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis ensured the duo went unrewarded in their opening spells with calculated yet dynamic batting to settle in with a 32-run partnership, prompting Ben Stokes to bring in Mark Wood and Shaoib Bashir into the attack. The former was immediately on the money, his first two overs the fastest ever recorded by an English bowler on home soil followed by a 156 clicks snorter, but the Windies openers battled through the adversity to register their first half-century partnership together. However, just when play seemed to have settled, a lucky boundary off a wild hoick buoyed Louis to attack Bashir with another slog, only for this one to land in the hands of a circling Harry Brook. Nevertheless, the visitors kept the scoreboard ticking and seemed well poised with Lunch approaching, but a nasty short-ball ploy by Atkinson dispatched the skipper for 48 before Bashir benefitted with another loose heave by Kirk McKenzie to go into the break at 89/3.
Despite two new batters at the crease, Stokes began the second session with a struggling Woakes at one end alongside Bashir. Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge promptly lapped up the opportunity to settle in and then turned on the style to force Wood back into the action. The express quick took just seven balls to create a chance but Joe Root spilled a sitter at first slip to afford Hodge a second life. There was no looking back thereafter as the batters racked up 68 runs in the last 10 overs before Tea, bringing up their half-centuries in the process, and the score read a handsome 212/3 at the interval.
The wicket drought continued well into the third session as the partnership ticked past 150 and up to 175. Stokes finally delivered the breakthrough when Athanaze flashed hard at a wide half-volley and gully pocketed the ensuing outside edge, stranding his counterpart 18 short of a maiden Test ton. There were no such regrets though for Hodge as he brought up the milestone soon after, battling hard against early signs of reverse swing, and walked out to a standing ovation when Woakes trapped him in front for 120. Jason Holder dug in adamantly thereon while Joshua da Silva dealt in boundaries, surviving a near-unplayable spell of Wood's reverse swing to end the day with an unbeaten stand of 46.
Brilliant day
A brilliant day of test cricket at Trent Bridge ❤️
— Dinesh here 🙋♂️🇿🇦 (@dinesh_offl_06)
Separate fan base
ENG vs WI test series has separate fan base. This time WI Young guns batting proper bazzball against england overrated shit ball. 🔥 England making flat pitches to score 5rpo is getting backfires in their poor bowling selection + captaincy + coaching. Look out for Hodge & Alick🥸
— Sankar Umai (@umaiorubagam)
Good pace
Have always loved Mark Wood's bowling & absolutely loved his today's bowling against West Indies as well, I mean definitely pace is pace yaar 👏🏻👏🏻.
— Nigar Ali (@NIGARAL59844580)
Maiden test century
Kavem Hodge shone with his maiden Test century against England in the second Test.
— aawara in the city (@VikashJ13660845)
Well played
What a match! 🥵
— Apex Sports (#BA56) (@NewsSports_35)
FIGHTBACK FROM WEST INDIES!!! 🔴🔥
They are 325/5 currently and only 91 runs behind from England's 416 in the first innings.
What century from Kavem Hodge 120 .Athaneze's 82 ensured a WICKETLESS session.
Hanging
Windies chances hanging on this partnership
— 🔁 (@Tutterdotcom)
On high
Kavem Hodge 💯 120(171)
— alekhaNikun (@nikun28)
Important half-century in Gabba.
Put on high...
Good spell
The amazing theatre of a Mark Wood spell as seen from the commentary box.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC)
Terrific ton
A terrific Test Ton From Kevam Hodge at Trent Bridge...West Indies in full control at the moment!
— manass (@dehatiladka07)
Sensational century
💯 🙌
— 🅼🅺 🆅🅴🆁🅼🅰 🇮🇳 (@_mkverma)
A sensational century for Kavem Hodge 👏👏 | |
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