Hodge: We still have more work to do

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand – Despite scoring an unbeaten century which helped West Indies avoid the follow-on against New Zealand on Saturday, Kavem Hodge is hoping they can cut further into the deficit when play resumes last night.

Hodge batted for over six hours to end the day on 109 not out off 254 balls, as the Windies finished on 381 for six, still 194 runs adrift of New Zealand’s first innings total.

Speaking at a press conference at the end of Saturday’s third day of play, Hodge said while he was happy to have scored his second Test century, there was still much work to be done.

He admitted that while pushing for a series leveling win was still in the back of their minds, getting as close to New Zealand’s total of 575 for eight declared was more pressing.

“It’s in the back of our minds, but right now we’re just trying to focus on what’s in front of us, trying to eat into the lead as much as possible.

“It’s a situation where it’s all hands on deck and we’re seeing that right now, so it’s just a matter of us taking it as deep as possible,” Hodge said.

Question marks surround the availability of both Shai Hope and Kemar Roach, with Hope reportedly ill, while Roach was injured on Thursday’s opening day.

However, Hodge said Hope was doing “much better” and he was optimistic he would be able to bat on Sunday.

“Shai is getting better and I think us batting throughout the day helped give him time to recover and stuff like that, so we’ll see how he is tomorrow and hopefully he can step up and put in some work for us as well,” Hodge said.

“Like I said, the situation is all hands on deck, so everybody who gets an opportunity to bat will relish that and obviously having him at the wicket is still a big plus for us as well.” (CMC)

Brief Scores (Day 3)

New Zealand 575 (Devon Conway 227, Tom Latham 137; Justin Greaves 2-83) lead West Indies 381 for 6 (Kavem Hodge 109*, Brandon King 63; Jacob Duffy 2-79, Ajaz Patel 2-94) by 194 runs.