During the second Test between England and the West Indies at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, pacer Mark Wood delivered some of the fastest overs in cricket history. Kavem Hodge, who scored a crucial century, found himself facing Wood’s relentless pace. Reflecting on the intense experience, Hodge shared a lighthearted moment he had with the English speedster.
A Fiery Spell
Wood’s spell was nothing short of blistering. On Day 2 of the match, he bowled a series of deliveries exceeding 90 mph. Hodge, who handled Wood’s thunderbolts with remarkable composure, revealed a humorous exchange he had with Wood. “It was brutal,” Hodge admitted. “It’s not every day you rock up and face someone bowling more than 90mph every single ball.” He recounted telling Wood, “Hey, I have a wife and kids at home,” as a joke to lighten the mood.
Handling the Heat
Despite facing Wood’s blistering pace, Hodge managed to stay focused and eventually reached a century. His partner, Alick Athanaze, who added a solid 175 runs for the fourth wicket, wasn’t as fortunate. Athanaze was hit on the helmet by one of Wood’s deliveries. “I flinched. I thought I was going to get hit before him but it didn’t happen like that,” Hodge said. He praised Athanaze for his resilience and ability to continue battling despite the setback.
Record-Breaking Speeds
Wood’s speed was exceptional from the start. In his first over, he bowled a 93.9 mph delivery to Windies opener Mikyle Louis, followed by a 96.1 mph delivery that beat Louis. Wood didn’t let up, delivering 95.2 mph and 92.2 mph thunderbolts before capping off the over with a searing 96.5 mph yorker. He finished the over with another delivery at 95.2 mph, averaging an impressive 94.40 mph.
Wood continued to push the limits in his second over, with speeds reaching 95 mph, 93 mph, 95 mph, 96 mph, 97.1 mph, and 94 mph.
Conclusion
Kavem Hodge’s humorous interaction with Mark Wood amid the fiery pace highlights the lighter side of cricket’s intense moments. Despite the brutal pace, Hodge’s century and Athanaze’s resilience were key highlights of a remarkable day of Test cricket.
