Hodge spearheads solid batting effort from Windies in England warm-up

Kavem Hodge has slammed a thumping century to help the West Indies to a solid total in the first session of their 3-day warm-up match against the First-Class Counties (FCC) Select XI in Beckenham, England.
It happened on Wednesday afternoon at the Kent County Cricket Ground, as the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Zachary McCaskie had a tough start, returning to the dugout for 4 and 2 runs respectively.
Mikyle Louis and Kirk McKenzie recovered with a 106-run partnership that saw Louis hitting 50 in 63 balls before departing. McKenzie went on to hit 73 in 85 deliveries as he attempted to build another partnership with Alick Athanaze.
Athanaze was the third West Indian batter to reach the half century mark on Day One, contributing 74 runs in 105 balls to the Men in Maroon’s tally.
Kavem Hodge, however, was the shining star of the day, as he crafted an impressive century. Hodge hit 14 fours and two sixes in a sparkling 112 off 128 deliveries.

The remainder of the West Indian batting line-up all went back to the dugout for single digits, as they posted 339 all-out in 79.1 overs in their first innings.
Farhan Ahmed was the pick of the FCC bowlers, claiming 4-48 from 12 overs, while John Turner took another four-wicket haul for 60 runs in 12.1 overs.
The FCC Select XI, batting after West Indies were bundled out, got to 15 without loss, compliments of Harry Singh and Ben McKinney, before rain forced an early close of play.
Following his commanding innings, Hodge spoke of their time in the middle, and what would be crucial to West Indies’ preparation for the series. He said, “It was pretty good. It was cold, but I enjoyed it. My first time playing in England. It’s always nice to come out here and, regardless if it was your first time, you want to create a good impression and make the most of the opportunity. So, it was good to spend some time in the middle.”
Sharing about the Windies’ preparation, Hodge said, “I think it’s just a matter of getting accustomed to the conditions. Obviously, it’s much colder than the Caribbean, the ball swings a lot, I think it’s just a matter of taking in the environment. You know, we’re lucky to come here a week or so before the first Test match. So, it’s just a matter of taking in the environment, enjoying each other’s company, and working hard together.”
Looking ahead to the series bowling off at Lord’s next week, Hodge responded to inquiries about what their now famous Australian win has done for the team’s confidence. He enlightened, “It’s playing a big role in the sense of belief that we have as a team and the Caribbean on a whole. Obviously, you know, going into a Test match with Australia with 7 debutants, I wouldn’t think much people gave us a chance; but it proved to everybody the belief that we have as a team.
“We prepared well. I must big up Andre Coley and his background staff. You know, they’re doing a lot of work. A lot of work that people don’t see but, you know, it showed there on the field. It’s something that really pushed us, and we’ll continue to ride off of that.”
The warm-up action was scheduled to continue at 06:00hrs local time today with the FCC Select XI trailing West Indies by 324 runs.