Windies survive brutal Wooden onslaught to take struggle to England

Kavem Hodge emerged triumphant from a “brutal” battle with Mark Wooden at Trent Bridge however admitted asking the England paceman to ship him again to his household in a single piece.

Hodge celebrated his maiden Take a look at century to steer a West Indian fightback on day two of the second Take a look at, ending with 120 as he confronted down a gradual provide of missiles from the quickest English bowler of his, or maybe any, period.

Wooden hit a prime velocity of 97.1mph within the morning session and sat between 93-94mph for almost all of the day, tossing his physique to ground repeatedly as he strained each sinew for an additional yard on the velocity gun.

He flung down his justifiable share of bouncers too, at one stage smashing Alick Athanaze sq. on the helmet at full velocity as Hodge watched on from the non-striker’s finish.

“It was actually brutal. It’s not day-after-day you rock up and face somebody bowling 93mph each single ball,” stated Hodge, whose aspect completed 65 behind on 5-351.

“There was one level I used to be joking with him, I stated ‘hey, I’ve a spouse and children at dwelling!’. He began to snort and I believe it made the century far more satisfying.

Kavem Hodge celebrates his ton. (Picture: Getty Photos)

“Take a look at cricket is brutal, it’s difficult, it’s mentally draining. To expertise that, dealing with guys like Mark Wooden, it was powerful but it surely was satisfying.

“Some guys acquired hit but it surely’s a part of Take a look at cricket. Kudos to Alick. He bounced again and was in a position to stand his floor and push on even additional. I flinched, I believed I used to be going to get hit earlier than that.”

With Athanaze making 82, the pair shared a advantageous partnership of 175 as West Indies took benefit of fine batting circumstances to frustrate England.

Replying to England’s whole of 416, West Indies misplaced Mikyle Louis for 21, captain Kraigg Brathwaite for 48 and Kirk McKenzie for 11 within the morning session.

Louis tried to hit spinner Shoaib Bashir excessive and was effectively caught by Harry Brook working again at mid on.

Brathwaite was unsettled by a short-pitched supply from quick bowler Gus Atkinson and popped up a easy catch to Ollie Pope at brief leg.

McKenzie had a rush of blood shortly earlier than lunch, making an attempt to hit Bashir over mid-off and sending the ball into the fingers of England captain Ben Stokes.

Hodge obtained a lifeline on 16 when he edged Wooden to Joe Root at first slip however the former England captain spilled the catch.

Athanaze hit one six and 10 fours and Hodge struck 19 boundaries, the pair mixing watchful defence with constructive strokes when the bowlers strayed in line or size.

Athanaze was closing on his first Take a look at century when he chopped Stokes to Brook at gully however Hodge reached three figures earlier than being trapped lbw by Chris Woakes.