Kavem Hodge puts West Indies in control against Pakistan in historic Test opener
Key Points(5)
- Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten half-century has placed West Indies in a strong position against Pakistan after the opening day of the historic first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday.
- Hodge became the first batter to score a Test half-century at the newest venue in international cricket, finishing the rain-affected day unbeaten on 83 as West Indies reached 194 for three after only 67 overs of play.
- The left-hander combined with Shai Hope, who was unbeaten on 39, for an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 88 runs to steady the innings after Pakistan had reduced the hosts to 106 for three.
- The day began positively for Pakistan after West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and chose to bat.
- However, the home side’s openers struggled to build momentum, managing only 13 runs from the first eight overs.
Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten half-century has placed West Indies in a strong position against Pakistan after the opening day of the historic first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Saturday.
Hodge became the first batter to score a Test half-century at the newest venue in international cricket, finishing the rain-affected day unbeaten on 83 as West Indies reached 194 for three after only 67 overs of play.
The left-hander combined with Shai Hope, who was unbeaten on 39, for an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 88 runs to steady the innings after Pakistan had reduced the hosts to 106 for three.
The day began positively for Pakistan after West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss and chose to bat. However, the home side’s openers struggled to build momentum, managing only 13 runs from the first eight overs.
Brandon King was the first to fall, chopping a wide delivery from Mohammad Abbas onto his stumps for 12, leaving West Indies 23 for one after 14 overs.
Rain then interrupted play, forcing an early lunch break.
After the resumption, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Hodge increased the scoring rate, adding 51 runs for the second wicket. Hodge looked particularly aggressive, punishing short and wide deliveries, including a well-timed pull shot off Abbas that raced to the boundary.
Chanderpaul’s patient innings ended on 21 from 77 balls when he edged a delivery from Aamer Jamal to second slip, where Salman Agha took the catch.
Hodge continued to attack, hitting Jamal for consecutive boundaries before reaching 39.
He later shared a 42-run partnership with Amir Jangoo, but Jangoo’s innings ended at 21 when he missed a straight delivery from Abbas and was trapped lbw, leaving West Indies on 106 for three.
Hope joined Hodge at the crease and initially appeared troubled by discomfort in his left shoulder, an injury that had kept him out of the first Test against Sri Lanka earlier this month. After treatment from the team physiotherapist, however, Hope settled and continued his innings without further concern.
Hodge brought up his fourth Test half-century from 86 balls by driving spinner Ali Usman to the boundary, helping West Indies reach tea at 127 for three.
The final session belonged to the home side, as Hodge and Hope frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers and guided West Indies into a commanding position.
Hodge survived two close lbw calls, including one on 77 when he was initially given out off Abbas before a review showed the ball was passing over the stumps. Another Pakistan review later confirmed a second appeal against him was also going over the top.
The pair safely negotiated the remaining overs before bad light brought an early end to play.
Hodge has so far struck eight fours in his unbeaten 181-ball innings, while Hope has faced 91 deliveries and hit two boundaries.
Abbas was Pakistan’s most successful bowler on the opening day, taking two wickets for 44 runs.
