With a cry of “Ooooh my Goooddddd,” Kavem Hodge rolled around on the ground. He apparently had to demonstrate that he could carry a cricket ball to the crown jewels in order to be eligible for a second Test match century. Not everyone enjoys slow-burning thrillers. For the last three days, Mount Manganui has been screening one, and things began to happen just as the draw was beginning to take the lead. Yes, he did. He traumatised his aching body with a fast run two on 97, and on 99, he decided that running is for losers and hit a pull shot to the square-leg boundary.
The West Indies trailed by 194 after going to stumps at 381 for 6, but two of their wickets are doubtful. Shai Hope hasn’t been seen much since spending Friday hiding up in his hotel. According to reports, he is ill, and since teammate after teammate entered the game before him, it appears that his condition is severe enough to keep him from batting. Kemar Roach had a hamstring injury on the first day, and it’s unknown how he’ll be feeling.
New Zealand will continue to hold out hope for a favourable outcome, especially given how they motivated themselves during the last session. They were worn out. The movement that was still possible was being negated by the pitch’s slow tempo. As a result, there were many oohs and aahs but no aha! Until Daryl Mitchell was handed the ball, he just walked in and put Justin Greaves out of his misery. Roston Chase was also stranded in front by Ajaz Patel three balls later.
Four of their top five wickets were able to settle in as the West Indies amassed fifty partnership after fifty partnership. They had been difficult to break. Then a man who had never taken a Test wicket at home and a dibbly-dobbly bowler suddenly made an impression.
thrillers with a slow burn. You have to adore them.
It became uncomfortable for Hodge to bat in the 90s. Anderson Phillip was struck in the head. New Zealand failed to get an advantage through to the custodian. Tom Latham said, “Oh, not again!” as the replay appeared on the large screen, recalling the lost chance when they had no reviews in Christchurch and Roach LBW, only to have the umpire shake his head. This will continue for another two days.
Hodge’s Test career has also been a long burn, and he was on the verge of being eliminated at one stage.
Only two of his previous 15 innings had gone over 30 runs before he was dropped during the home summer.
Speaking at the end of the day’s play, he was gracious enough to acknowledge that managers will look elsewhere if workers don’t meet expectations.
Finding a method to bat against the shifting ball was a top goal for him when West Indies approached him again for this tour to New Zealand. Instead of shrinking him, this task brought out his analytical side. He holds a degree in sports science, and it may have helped him realise that he could use his muscle to convert square of the wicket into runs. At the conclusion of the day, he stated, “Plan your work, work your plan,” on 109 not out.
At first, Hodge appeared dubious as he managed to survive outside edges through the slip cordon while criticising himself for his front foot’s unwillingness to match up with the ball. However, that didn’t stop him from mastering the fundamentals, being prepared for the next ball, or improving his off-stump awareness. He was able to get his body moving the manner he desired as he spent more and more time in the middle. The bowlers started to go elsewhere as his defense’s strength—soft hands and a bat face pointing down to ensure the ball didn’t reach the close catchers—became apparent. Hodge played some of the sharpest pull shots to punish them for their lack of tenacity.
India
