Kavem Hodge showcased an impressive performance, scoring a purposeful hundred to help the West Indies Test squad make a confident start to their Tour of England.
Playing against a First-Class Counties Select XI on a chilly Wednesday, the 31-year-old Dominican slammed 112 runs, leading the team to a first-innings total of 339 after they won the toss and decided 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 Test tour to England. The FCC Select XI were 15 without loss at the close of play, with captain Ben McKinney not out on 11 and Harry Singh on two.
Reflecting on his performance, Hodge said, “It was pretty good, but it was cold. I enjoyed it because it’s my first time playing in England, and it’s always good coming out here, regardless of whether it’s your first time, and make a good impression and make the most of the opportunity, so it was good to spend some time in the middle.”
Eager to play at Lord’s
He added, “It’s just getting accustomed to the conditions because it’s much colder than the Caribbean and the ball swings a lot more, and when the ball hits you, it stings a lot. We were lucky enough to come a week before the first Test, so I think it’s just a matter of taking in the environment, enjoying each other’s company, and working hard to achieve our goals.”
Hodge reached his hundred from 119 balls, lofting off-spinner Farhan Ahmed over long-on for his second six. He is eager to play at Lord’s, stating, “It’s always a dream to play at Lord’s. Something growing up as a kid that you sit and dream about, you watch a lot of cricket at Lord’s. It’s something I am looking forward to – getting the opportunity to sit and watch the game, playing there with the crowd, the prestige, the home of cricket, it’s something that every cricketer aspires to do.”
Athanaze supported Hodge with 74 runs, McKenzie made 73, and Louis added an even 50. Despite a strong start, the bottom half of the batting order crumbled, with Ahmed finishing with four for 48 from 12 overs and South Africa-born pacer John Turner taking four for 60 from 12.1 overs.
Caribbean side struggled early on
West Indies began the match without left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and pacer Shamar Joseph due to flight cancellations caused by Hurricane Beryl. Media reports indicated Motie arrived on Wednesday, and Joseph is scheduled to arrive on Friday.
The Caribbean side struggled early on, losing captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Zachary McCaskie cheaply. However, a 106-run partnership between Louis and McKenzie stabilized the innings before lunch. Louis reached his 50 from 62 balls, while McKenzie hit 11 fours and two sixes in his 85-ball innings.
Hodge and Athanaze then built a solid 138-run, fifth-wicket partnership, both reaching their half-centuries before tea. After the break, Athanaze was dismissed for 74, top-edging a sweep to be caught inside the fine leg boundary. Hodge continued to anchor the innings but received little support from the lower order, and West Indies lost their last five wickets for 40 runs, closing the innings with Hodge caught at deep mid-wicket off Turner.
