Post by : Mara Rahim
Kavem Hodge achieved his second Test century, contributing significantly as the West Indies made a solid showing on the third day of the third Test against New Zealand. Hodge ended the day not out on 109, with Anderson Phillip adding 12 runs, allowing the team to reach 381-6 and avoid the follow-on after responding to New Zealand’s 575-8.
Playing without Shai Hope, who made a century in the first Test but missed two days due to illness, the West Indies still battled well. They are down 1-0 in the three-match series following a draw in the first Test and a defeat by nine wickets in the second.
Hodge, who scored 120 against England in July 2024, faced challenges to secure scores above 50 in his last 16 innings. He spent over three-and-a-half hours at the crease, reaching his century from 224 balls with a pull shot off Michael Rae. “Contributing to the team makes me feel grateful and happy,” expressed Hodge. “I focused on understanding the New Zealand conditions to implement my strategy.”
He entered the action after John Campbell’s dismissal in the second over and built essential partnerships, including 66 runs with Tevin Imlach (27), 61 runs with Alick Athanaze (45), and 81 runs with Justin Greaves (43). Hodge adeptly dealt with New Zealand's spinners and pacers, especially on the leg side.
Earlier, Brandon King contributed 63 runs, and John Campbell added 45, creating a 111-run opening partnership—their first century stand and only the sixth for the West Indies in over a decade. Campbell was caught at second slip by Tom Latham after mistiming Jacob Duffy, and King was bowled by Duffy as the ball swung late.
As the pitch deteriorated and began to crack, New Zealand continued their wicket-taking spree. Daryl Mitchell and Ajaz Patel quickly dismissed Greaves and Roston Chase (2), with Patel logged his 86th Test wicket and first in New Zealand.
Just before stumps, the West Indies surpassed the 375-run mark, successfully avoiding follow-on. New Zealand is unlikely to enforce the follow-on, having opted to bat first to evade the challenges of batting on a deteriorating pitch.
The West Indies demonstrated great resilience reminiscent of their second innings in the first Test, maintaining a long, steady batting effort against New Zealand’s substantial total.
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