Hodges Gritty Century Keeps West Indies Fighting to Avoid Follow-On

Despite a challenging situation in the Test against New Zealand, West Indies batter Kevin Hodge showed great resilience. At the close of play on the second day, the 32-year-old remained unbeaten on 109, keeping West Indies in the fight to avoid the follow-on.
Hodge reached his century off 224 balls, hitting 12 boundaries. He survived a chance at 74 when a catch off Daryl Mitchell’s slip went down. He carefully navigated the nervous nineties over 33 balls. Play was briefly halted at 97 when he was struck painfully by a delivery from Michael Rae. Hodge put together an important 81-run partnership with Justin Greaves and also had fifty-plus stands with Tevin Imlach and Alick Athanaze.
In an unexpected breakthrough for New Zealand, Greaves (43) was trapped lbw by Mitchell, only his fourth Test wicket in 35 matches. Roston Chase was later dismissed lbw by Ajaz Patel. Immediately after lunch, Imlach (27) was caught behind off Rae.
Athanaze, on 45, lost his wicket due to a misjudgment. He attempted to leave a ball outside leg stump, but it deflected off his thigh onto the stumps. This was Patel’s first Test wicket on home soil.
West Indies had resumed Saturday’s play at 110 without loss, but John Campbell (45) was dismissed off Jacob Duffy in the second over, ending West Indies’ first century opening partnership since February 2023. Duffy then bowled Brandon King (63) for his second wicket.
Among New Zealand’s bowlers, Duffy finished with 2 wickets for 79 runs in 31 overs, while Ajaz Patel claimed 2 for 94 in 33 overs. On the previous day, New Zealand declared their first innings at 575 for 8, anchored by Devon Conway’s brilliant 227 and captain Tom Latham’s 137.
Meanwhile, West Indies confirmed that leading batsman Shai Hope did not bat on Saturday due to food poisoning, while Kemar Roach, recovering from injury, was available to bat if needed.