Twitter Reactions: Kavem Hodge’s century scripts comeback for West Indies against England on Day 2

After a disastrous batting performance in the first Test at Lord’s, West Indies have turned the tables in the second Test at Trent Bridge. England ‘bazballed’ their way to 416 runs in the first innings and it was thought to be a good total to put the visitors under pressure. However, the Kraigg Brathwaite-led side learned from their previous mistakes and put up a stunning show with the bat.

The skipper himself gave a strong start of 48 runs. However, Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie failed to deliver as West Indies were 84/3 at one stage. They lost three quick wickets and needed something special to come out of the situation, given that their batting unit collapsed a couple of times in the first Test.

That’s when Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge took control of the situation and helped West Indies get back on their feet. The duo stitched a partnership of 175 runs which put pressure on England, as they looked clueless for some time. Athanaze made 82 runs off 99 balls while Hodge hit a terrific century to help West Indies take control.

Notably, this was Hodge’s maiden century in international cricket, and he had all class while celebrating that. The fans in attendance meanwhile gave a standing ovation to the 31-year-old. He eventually scored 120 runs as Chris Woakes got the better of him. He once again received a standing ovation from the crowd while heading back to the dressing room as the cricketer acknowledged all the appreciation.

Also Read: Mark Wood bowls fastest Test over by England bowler at home

After his dismissal, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva took control of the situation. Both looked confident with the bat and remained not-out for 23* and 32* runs respectively after Day 2. West Indies are 351/5 at stumps and are trailing by 65 runs. England would be hoping to pick up some early wickets on the morning of Day 3, or else the visitors can push for the win as they did at Gabba against Australia earlier in the year.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Congratulations Kavem Hodge on a maiden Test ton 💯#ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/myTzBoMgPX

— England’s Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 19, 2024

Day 2: Stumps

Kavem Hodge’s classy maiden Test century of 120(171) propelled West Indies to 351-5, leaving them trailing by just 65 runs.#ENGvsWI #KavemHodge pic.twitter.com/UnbiKF8Vyj

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 19, 2024

Fantastic day of test cricket today. England somewhere missing Anderson in the bowling line-up but that’s considerable. Windies boys came with a good batting effort this time.#EngvsWi

— AMEYA MAHADIK (@ameyamahadik30) July 19, 2024

After a looooong time, West Indies had a very good day in Test Cricket!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻#ENGvsWI

— Prasanna (@ak_prasanna) July 19, 2024

That god almighty, we bat out a day in test cricket, 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾#ENGvsWI

— reenel joseph🇬🇩🇹🇹 (@joseph_reenel) July 19, 2024

Day 3, first season, is going to be very important. #ENGvsWI

— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled) July 19, 2024

Mark Wood when the weather isn’t cloudy#ENGvsWI #MarkWood pic.twitter.com/nmU5C27Nst

— RAHUL (@CVV_009) July 19, 2024

Considering how 1st Test went this has been a great day for WI. 351/5 in response to 416 is above expectations. game nicely poised.#EngvsWI

— Garfield Robinson (@garfieldrob01) July 19, 2024

A brilliant day of test cricket at Trent Bridge ❤️#ENGvsWI

— Dinesh here 🙋‍♂️🇿🇦 (@dinesh_offl_06) July 19, 2024

Brilliant Brilliant from the West Indies. To score more than 350 in the day and lose only 5 wickets, they would be over the moon with this effort. Not many expected this rearguard from them after the 1st test. A bit like Gabba test#ENGvWI #WIvENG #ENGvsWI

— Vivek Yadav (@Vivek67320134) July 19, 2024

#ENGvsWI 2nd Test. Shaping up to be a cracker this one. WI 351/5 and rattling along at a good lick. This is what great Test cricket is all about!

— Andy Burge 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@AndyGJBurge) July 19, 2024

Match Summary:-
Windies have surprised & shocked everyone.They have made an unexpected comeback,they just need 75 more runs to level the score.#WIvENG #ENGvWI#WIvsENG #ENGvsWI pic.twitter.com/Lm4jscvRHq

— Taha (@Taha75618) July 19, 2024

Da Silva is taking the game on ! It’s the first time I have seen him play this positively. #EngvsWI

— Aditya (@Aditya82313733) July 19, 2024

The West Indies batting lineup have shown a great display of strength . Especially Hodge and Athanaze . All you need is to bat and bat. This is what you want in test cricket. A real competition from both sides. #ENGvsWI #Testcricket #CricketTwitter #Englandcricket #Testmatch

— sreekar (@nyalkalkars) July 19, 2024

England trying their best to take the game to day 4 & 5 that’s why they are letting WI chip away the lead.
It’s all BAZBALL!! Innit @benstokes38 #ENGvsWI

— TEAM BLACK 🐲 (@patrikbateman62) July 19, 2024

Flat pitches in T20s, Flat Pitches in ODIs and Now Flat pitches in Test Cricket as well. Officially, the game is no more for bowlers now, in any Format.

Shameful from England! #ENGvsWI

— Saifullah Khan (@Saif_speaks88) July 19, 2024