Hodge hundred rallies Windies and defies England

Second Rothesay Test (day 2 of five), Trent Bridge

England 416: Pope 121, Duckett 71, Stokes 69; A Joseph 3-98

West Indies 351-5: Hodge 120, Athanaze 82; Bashir 2-100

West Indies way by 65 runs

Scorecard6

Kavem Hodge’s maiden period rallied West Indies and defied England connected a compelling 2nd time of nan 2nd Test astatine Trent Bridge.

Hodge, a 31-year-old playing only his 4th Test, should person been caught connected 16 by Joe Root, but alternatively went connected to make 120 to respire life into nan visitors and nan series.

From 84-3 successful consequence to England’s 416, Hodge added 175 for nan 4th wicket pinch nan likewise awesome Alick Athanaze, who contributed 82.

Hodge reached his period by driving Ben Stokes for four, past celebrated by leaping into nan arms of batting partner Jason Holder.

He was yet lbw to Chris Woakes, leaving Holder and Joshua da Silva to return West Indies to 351-5, 65 behind.

In sapping heat, England worked difficult successful their first time successful nan section since nan status of bowler James Anderson.

Mark Wood enthralled nan crowd pinch immoderate lightning-fast bowling, past provided England pinch a interest complete his fittingness erstwhile he had to time off nan action successful nan evening session.

With Trent Bridge sparkling successful immoderate long-awaited sunshine, this was a heartening time of Test cricket, arsenic West Indies displayed nan benignant of tone and accomplishment that saw them triumph complete Australia successful Brisbane successful January.

Even England fans who revelled successful their squad steamrolling nan visitors successful small much than 2 days successful nan first Test astatine Lord’s will work together that this was a much enjoyable spectacle and a greater showing of wellness for nan five-day game.

Hodge was magnificent. Yes, everything astir nan conditions were perfect for batting, yet immoderate of his team-mates had already wasted their chance done immoderate atrocious strokes. Supported by Athanaze, he has put West Indies into a position from which they person a chance of levelling nan series.

England, without Anderson and Stuart Broad successful a location Test for nan first clip successful 12 years, did small incorrect and are astir apt learning much than astatine Lord’s. Wood was scintillating, astatine 1 shape bowling successful excess of 97mph, only to later propulsion up successful his 15th over.

However, England’s cessation of power is down to immoderate aged frailties. Their 416 successful nan first innings was a bully total, though their wastefulness prevented it from being impregnable. If Root had held his straightforward chance astatine first slip, possibly England would person been batting again earlier nan extremity of nan day.

Stokes’ broadside whitethorn good spell connected to triumph this match, but they are successful a battle. The title is each nan richer for it.