Hodge stars for Windies on opening day in England

A Kavem Hodge century helped the West Indies post a strong total on a gloomy and windy day in the London borough of Beckenham on Wednesday, the first day of a three-day match against the First-Class Counties Select XI. The 31-year-old from the Commonwealth of Dominica hit 112 off 128 balls with 14 fours and two sixes to anchor the visitors’ total of 339.

Alick Athanaze, Kirk McKenzie, and Mikyle Louis struck half-centuries as well. Athanze contributed 74, McKenzie 73, and the uncapped 23-year-old Louis made an even 50, bolstering his chances of becoming the first man from St. Kitts & Nevis to represent the West Indies in Test cricket.

The red-ball tour of England began with the Men in Maroon winning the toss and choosing to bat. The crowd included a healthy contingent of Caribbean fans. But Kraigg Brathwaite (4) and Zachary McCaskie (2) got the Windies off to an inauspicious start that matched the weather.

The travellers had already been hit with the news that two of their top bowlers would be late to join the team. Tweaker Gudakesh Motie and pacer Shamar Joseph were due to have flown out of Georgetown, Guyana, but their flights were cancelled due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Both players are expected to arrive later this week, in time for the first Test, which starts at Lord’s on 10 July.

As much as he enjoyed his time in the middle, Hodge took note of the cool temperatures, a first for him as he has not previously been to England.

“It was pretty good,” he said. “It was cold, but I enjoyed it. My first time in England, it’s always nice to come out here, regardless. You always want to come out and create a good impression, make the most of the opportunity. So it is always good to spend some time in the middle.

“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, who has played just two Test matches, both earlier this year in Australia, also spared a thought for those suffering through the earliest major storm the Caribbean has seen in recorded memory.

“You know, going through a hurricane is never easy,” he mused. “Something that you can’t control. It’s just a matter of preparing well; but you know we think about them a lot even when we’re playing, when we’re back in the hotel. We ask questions, how’s everybody doing, reaching out to people, regardless of the time difference. But you know we just want everybody to know that they are in our prayers and obviously what we’re doing on the field is representing them as well, so trying to make them proud.”

(TF)