West Indies Batters Stand Firm Against England at Trent Bridge

West Indies batters Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge put up a strong partnership, taking their team to 212-3 at tea on the second day of the second test against England at Trent Bridge. Athanaze scored his first test fifty, while Hodge narrowly avoided an early dismissal. England won the first match of the series by an innings and 114 runs.

West Indies batters Alick Athanaze and Kavem Hodge dug in to lift the touring side to 212-3 at tea on the second day of the second test, 204 runs behind England at a sunny Trent Bridge on Friday.

Athanaze remained unbeaten on 65 at the interval, marking his first test fifty, while Hodge was on 58. The duo's 128-run partnership took advantage of favorable batting conditions to frustrate England. Hodge had a fortunate escape on 16 when Mark Wood's delivery was dropped by Joe Root at first slip.

Athanaze, with one six and 10 fours, and Hodge, with nine boundaries, balanced cautious defense with aggressive strokes to capitalize on any loose deliveries. In response to England's total of 416, West Indies lost Mikyle Louis, captain Kraigg Brathwaite, and Kirk McKenzie during the morning session.

Louis fell attempting to hit spinner Shoaib Bashir, caught by Harry Brook at mid-on. Brathwaite was dismissed by Gus Atkinson's short-pitched delivery, caught by Ollie Pope at short leg. McKenzie was caught by Ben Stokes just before lunch, while trying to hit Bashir over mid-off. Mark Wood's rapid spell included the fastest recorded over by an England player, hitting 97.1 mph. England leads the three-test series, having won the first match by an innings and 114 runs at Lord's.

(With inputs from agencies.)