2nd Test
Day-2 Evening Session Highlights:
Kavem Hodge with a century and Alick Athanaze with a half-century has lead West Indies to fightback against England
West Indies scored 351/5 (1st Innings), where as England scored 416/10 (1st Innings).
So, finally West Indies trial by 65 runs.
A maiden Test century from Kavem Hodge and a brilliant 82 from Alick Athanaze helped West Indies stage a strong fightback against England in the second Test at Trent Bridge.
West Indies made a jittery start to the day but recovered in terrific fashion on the back of a 175-run stand between Hodge and Athanaze, reducing the deficit to 65 with five wickets still in hand.
The morning session was a tale of two halves.
West Indies made a promising start in the first hour without losing a wicket, as skipper Kraigg Brathwaite took charge of the scoring duties with plenty of boundaries.
However, the momentum completely changed post the drinks break as England struck.
Shoaib Bashir broke the opening partnership, and just moments before the lunch break, he was gifted another wicket when Kirk McKenzie played a rash shot and got out.
Sandwiched between those two wickets was Brathwaite’s dismissal, which rocked the visitors significantly.
Gus Atkinson bowled a well-directed bouncer that the batter tried to fend away, but he was unsuccessful, with the short leg fielder completing a simple catch.
From 53/0, West Indies quickly became 84/3, necessitating a rearguard action from the middle order.
Hodge and Athanaze stepped up at the right time, forging a vital century partnership in the second session without losing a wicket.
Athanaze batted positively once play resumed post lunch, while Hodge was initially content to bat out time.
Starting at 8 off 43, Hodge slowly grew in confidence, hitting a flurry of boundaries as both batters reached their respective fifties before the Tea break.
After a quiet couple of overs post-Tea, Hodge resumed his attack, taking on Bashir for four boundaries in two overs to surpass Athanaze.
Finally, it was the golden arm of Ben Stokes that broke the 175-run partnership, as Athanaze edged to the fielder at gully.
That wicket didn’t deter Hodge, who looked in fluent touch.
He hit Stokes for a couple of boundaries to bring up his maiden Test century, reducing the deficit in the process.
England brought back Chris Woakes and Mark Wood post the drinks break, and their persistence paid off when the centurion was trapped for 120 after the visitors had surpassed the 300-run mark.
This was a significant achievement for a side that failed to make even 150 in both innings of the first Test.
Jason Holder was content to stay at the crease until stumps, but Joshua Da Silva kept the pressure on the bowling side, making a rapid start to his innings.
In no time, he raced to 17 off 11, keeping England on their toes.
Taking the new ball just before stumps didn’t work, but England will bank on it heavily on the third morning to ensure they don’t concede a lead.
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