Kavem Hodge survives 'brutal' Mark Wood spell as West Indies show fight against England

Batter hits 120 at Trent Bridge as tourists finish Day 2 just 65 runs behind hosts' first innings total of 416

West Indies batter Kavem Hodge ducks out of the way from a short ball from England's Mark Wood. Getty Images

West Indies batter Kavem Hodge admitted his century in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge was made “much more satisfying” by withstanding a “brutal” spell of fast-bowling from Mark Wood.

Hodge cracked 120 on Day 2 in Nottingham as the tourists finished on 351-5 at stumps, just 65 runs behind England's first innings total of 416 and very much in the game.

What made Hodge's knock even more impressive was the fact he came up against the fastest spell of bowling by an England player on home soil since detailed records began in 2006, overtaking Wood's own mark at Lord's in 2021 and Headingley during last summer's Ashes.

During a four-over spell, he clocked 97.1mph while the 34-year-old paceman remained around the 93mph mark for most of the day's play. Wood also hit Alick Athanaze flush on the helmet on 48, although the left-hander went on to 82 during a crucial fourth-wicket stand of 175 with Hodge.

“There was one point I was joking with him [Wood], I said 'hey, I have a wife and kids at home!',” said Hodge after stumps. “He started to laugh and I think it made the century much more satisfying.

“Test cricket is brutal, it is challenging, it is mentally draining. To experience that, facing guys like Mark Wood, it was tough but it was satisfying.

“Some guys got hit but it's part of Test cricket. Kudos to Alick. He bounced back and was able to stand his ground and push on even further. I flinched, I thought I was going to get hit before that.

“Batting with Alick is always good because he is so aggressive. The attention goes away from me and I can bat under the radar.”

It was a vastly-improved batting performance from the West Indies who were bowled out for just 121 and 136 in the 114-run first test thrashing at Lord's which also saw record wicket-taker James Anderson's final appearance for England. Jason Holder (23) and Joshua Da Silva (32) finished the day unbeaten with the host's total very much in sight.

“It's been an amazing day,” added Hodge. “You always want to contribute, it was really good for the guys coming off Lord's, coming back as a batting unit it's always sweeter from behind.

“We're in a good position, I think we want to keep grinding on, take it as deep as possible.”

Wood was called into the team as a replacement for Anderson but left the field before Friday's close with suspected cramp following a wicketless return of 0-51 in 14.1 overs that was no reward for a determined and skilful display.

“Surprisingly, he said he's never had cramp before. I'm hoping it's just a bit of fatigue,” said England assistant coach Paul Collingwood.

“He certainly was stretching his hamstring so I presume it's in there somewhere. It's been a hot day, he's put all his effort into every ball. But he had a smile on his face at the end.

“Woody is always a little bit wary of injuries and niggles, so I think he’ll be fine. If he was worried it’s something serious he’d be pretty distraught but he seems pretty chipper.

“Everyone watching Woody throw himself 100 per cent at every single spell was exceptional and getting up to speeds of 97mph is everything you want to see in Test cricket.”

This is England's first home Test since 2012 without either Anderson or his longtime new-ball partner Stuart Broad, who retired after last year's Ashes. Between them, the pair took 1,308 Test wickets.

Instead, Chris Woakes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson, fresh from a 12-wicket haul on Test debut at Lord's shared the new ball on Friday with the opening pair finishing the day with figures of 1-59 and 1-77, respectively.

Captain ben Stokes also chipped in with a wicket while Shoaib Bashir took 2-100 with both Mikyle Louis (21) and Kirk McKenzie (11) out to rash shots as the 20-year-old off-spinner took his first Test wickets on home soil.