3rd Test: Ton-up Hodge keeps WI alive vs NZ
What's the story
West Indies batter Kavem Hodge played a stellar innings on the third day of the ongoing third and final Test match against New Zealand at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. He scored an unbeaten 109, leading his team to a total of 381/6 at stumps. His knock meant WI avoided the follow-on after replying to New Zealand's massive score of 575/8. Here is the Day 3 report.
Performance highlights
Hodge's resilience and partnerships
Hodge's innings included partnerships of 66 with Tevin Imlach (27), 61 with Alick Athanaze (45), and 81 with Justin Greaves (43). Notably, WI resumed the day at 110/0 as Brandon King (63) and John Campbell (45) shared a century partnership for the first wicket. Though Campbell was dismissed early on Day 3 morning, Hodge's resilience meant the visitors are still alive in the contest.
Match dynamics
West Indies's response to New Zealand's total
The West Indies showed the same determination in their reply to New Zealand's mammoth total as they did in the second innings of the first Test. They batted for 163.3 overs and reached 457/6 after being set a target of 531 runs. Notably, NZ are 1-0 up in the series. Hence, WI must win this affair to avoid the series defeat.
Strategy
New Zealand's bowling attack
For NZ, Ajaz Patel (2/94) and Jacob Duffy (2/79) made two strikes each in a tough day for bowlers. Patel's first wicket was his 86th in Tests but his first on home soil. Michael Rae (1/88) and Daryl Mitchell (1/9) were the other wicket-takers on the day. Despite these wickets, the West Indies managed to surpass 357, the follow-on mark, shortly before stumps.
Century
Fine hundred from Hodge
Hodge scored an unbeaten 109 off 254 balls, a knock laced with 14 fours. Hodge made his Test debut in 2024 and has since played 13 matches, scoring 700 runs so far at an average of around 29. He now has two centuries and three half-centuries to his name. Apart from New Zealand, he also scored a Test century against England.
King
King gets to his second Test fifty
King's 63 came from 104 balls, a knock laced with 10 fours. This was his second fifty across six Tests as the opener has raced to 265 runs at 24.09. He maiden fifty came against Australia earlier this year. As per ESPNcricinfo, King owns 2,855 runs in First-Class cricket from 48 matches at 32-plus. He has hit his 21st fifty in FC cricket. He also owns 3 tons.