KAVEM HODGE became the first Test ‘centurion’ from the tiny, beautiful island of Dominica in almost half a century-and he was the only one to do so outside the West Indies! With a population of less than 73,000, Hodge has put Dominica on the world map.

The first man ever to make a century in Test cricket from Dominica was Irvine Shillingford vs Pakistan in 1977 in Guyana-almost 50 years ago.

Dominica is so small that it combines with other teams-namely Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines-as the Windward Islands to play regional cricket.

Hodge was born in the capital, Roseau, but grew up in Antrizle, a small village on the east coast with a population of less than 7,000. Dominica is known as ‘the nature isle of the Caribbean’ due to its lush scenery and varied flora and fauna. The island is largely (75%) covered by rainforest and offers 365 rivers, akin to Antigua, which offers 365 beaches-one for every day of the year.

Dominica has one of the highest percentages of centenarians per capita in the world-and now Hodge has added his own.

Thanks to the heroics of Sharmah Joseph and Joshua Da Silva, West Indies was able to surpass England’s score and closed on 457-a 41-run lead. Joseph scored 33 runs off 27 balls and added a valuable 71 runs with Da Silva for the tenth wicket, including a six on the roof of one of the boxes, with the tiles dropping down on the spectators below. Luckily, no one was injured. Da Silva was not out on 82.

Test cricket at its best.

Hodge, in only his fourth Test, ‘pipped’ his countryman, Athanaze, playing his sixth, to the honour of becoming only the second player from Dominica to score a Test century.

The Windward Islands teammates ply their trade playing regional franchise cricket for the Windward Volcanoes, based in Grenada. They often train together and bat together, as evidenced by their magnificent 175-run partnership which rescued West Indies from 89 for three.

Incidentally, Grenada (and especially Carriacou) was hard hit by a different hurricane recently-Beryl-so this twosome would have brought some cheer for people living there.

Athanaze got to his maiden Test 50 after taking a nasty knock on the helmet from a Mark Wood bouncer, and motored to a well-played 82. He told ESPNcricinfo, ‘I really haven’t done as well as I’ve wanted to, definitely in the Test arena’ before this game began, admitting, ‘I would really love a Test 100.’

He came close but as sure as day follows night, he will have his day in the sun. Many have been charmed by his talent, including Brian Lara, and his cover drives are exquisite and well supported by his ‘soft’ hands.

Kavem and Athanaze are truly ones for the future, as well as the new opener Mikyle Louis who, with only eight first-class innings under his belt, made his debut at Lords and has been looking very sharp. He has made some good starts, but gifted away his wicket in this Test.

In the post-match interview, Hodge said it was a dream come true. ‘It was really brutal,’ said Hodge of facing Wood. ‘It’s not every day you rock up and face someone bowling 93 mph every single ball.’

After the game, Hodge revealed he had made a joke with the English pacer: ‘Hey, I have a wife and kids at home!’ Hodge joked with Wood, who laughed. He continued: ‘Test cricket is brutal, it is challenging, it is mentally draining. To experience that whilst facing Mark Wood, it was tough-but it was satisfying.’

Dominica PM Roosevelt Skerrit said: ‘Kavem’s performance stands as a phenomenal example of perseverance and dedication.’

Terrence Kalloo