Kavem Hodge showcased a formidable efficiency, scoring a purposeful hundred to assist the West Indies Check squad make a assured begin to their Tour of England.
Taking part in towards a First-Class Counties Choose XI on a cold Wednesday, the 31-year-old Dominican slammed 112 runs, main the workforce to a first-innings whole of 339 after they gained the toss and determined to bat.
Hodge’s century, which included 14 fours and two sixes from 128 balls in a three-hour innings, was supported by half-centuries from Alick Athanaze, Kirk McKenzie, and Mikyle Louis, all of whom are on their first Check tour to England. The FCC Choose XI have been 15 with out loss on the shut of play, with captain Ben McKinney not out on 11 and Harry Singh on two.
Reflecting on his efficiency, Hodge stated, “It was fairly good, but it surely was chilly. I loved it as a result of it’s my first time taking part in in England, and it’s all the time good popping out right here, no matter whether or not it’s your first time, and make impression and take advantage of the chance, so it was good to spend a while within the center.”
Desperate to play at Lord’s
He added, “It’s simply getting accustomed to the circumstances as a result of it’s a lot colder than the Caribbean and the ball swings much more, and when the ball hits you, it stings loads. We have been fortunate sufficient to return every week earlier than the primary Check, so I believe it’s only a matter of taking within the atmosphere, having fun with one another’s firm, and dealing onerous to attain our targets.”
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Hodge reached his hundred from 119 balls, lofting off-spinner Farhan Ahmed over long-on for his second six. He’s desperate to play at Lord’s, stating, “It’s all the time a dream to play at Lord’s. One thing rising up as a child that you just sit and dream about, you watch a number of cricket at Lord’s. It’s one thing I’m wanting ahead to – getting the chance to take a seat and watch the sport, taking part in there with the gang, the status, the house of cricket, it’s one thing that each cricketer aspires to do.”
Athanaze supported Hodge with 74 runs, McKenzie made 73, and Louis added an excellent 50. Regardless of a powerful begin, the underside half of the batting order crumbled, with Ahmed ending with 4 for 48 from 12 overs and South Africa-born pacer John Turner taking 4 for 60 from 12.1 overs.
Caribbean facet struggled early on
West Indies started the match with out left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and pacer Shamar Joseph as a consequence of flight cancellations attributable to Hurricane Beryl. Media experiences indicated Motie arrived on Wednesday, and Joseph is scheduled to reach on Friday.
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The Caribbean facet struggled early on, dropping captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Zachary McCaskie cheaply. Nonetheless, a 106-run partnership between Louis and McKenzie stabilized the innings earlier than lunch. Louis reached his 50 from 62 balls, whereas McKenzie hit 11 fours and two sixes in his 85-ball innings.
Hodge and Athanaze then constructed a strong 138-run, fifth-wicket partnership, each reaching their half-centuries earlier than tea. After the break, Athanaze was dismissed for 74, top-edging a sweep to be caught contained in the high-quality leg boundary. Hodge continued to anchor the innings however obtained little help from the decrease order, and West Indies misplaced their final 5 wickets for 40 runs, closing the innings with Hodge caught at deep mid-wicket off Turner.
