West Indies batsman Kavem Hodge said he was glad he stuck out the tough times during his maiden Test hundred against hosts England to breathe some life into the Richards-Botham Trophy Series heading into the third day of the second Test.
The 31-year-old Dominican made 120 in his only Test, and the Caribbean side were 351 for five in reply to England’s first innings total of 416 at the close on the second day at Trent Bridge, a deficit of 65.
Hodge and partner Alick Athanaze shared 175 for the fourth wicket after the West Indies fell to 84 for three a little before lunch.
“It’s a dream come true; you play the game as a youngster growing up; that’s something that you want to do, especially at the highest level, in England against England,” Hodge told reporters after the day’s play.
“I’m really happy and satisfied about it, especially the position of the team; it’s always good to help the team’s cause.”
Hodge credited the visitors for coming through the “tough periods,” including spells from England tearaway fast bowler Mark Wood, whose quickest delivery was clocked at 97.1 miles an hour and who consistently bowled around 93 miles an hour for most of the day.
Hodge showed plenty of courage against Wood and the rest of the England pace attack during their first day in the field and he gathered several of his 19 boundaries with hooks and pulls.
Athanaze, too, put up a brave front with the left-hander hitting a career-best 82.
Hodge sealed his century when he firmly drove a delivery from England captain and fast medium bowler Ben Stokes through mid off for four and erupted in celebration at his achievement with his batting partner at the time, Jason Holder.
Hodge was dismissed lbw to pacer Chris Woakes. Joshua Da Silva, not out on 32, and Jason Holder, not out on 23, battled through the last 40 minutes to put on 46 for the sixth wicket to cap a strong reply from the visitors.
Hodge made his Test debut on the Tour of Australia last January, and said, “There were times when you started to doubt yourself when you weren’t getting the opportunity.”
“There were times when, because of COVID-19, we had something called the Best vs. Best, when they would bring the guys in and then split the squad into two and have warm-up games to select the team.”
He said, “I think I had taken part in that six or seven times, and every time a selector or the coach would come to me and say, ‘We’re not going to select you; we’re looking in this direction.’”
“So every time I went to a Best vs. Best, it took a little bit out of me, but I’m grateful that I stuck with it and things are working out, so I’m happy for that.”
