CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – West Indies middle-order batsman Kavem Hodge is gearing up for a challenging three-match Test series against New Zealand, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation for his team. The Windies are on a quest to secure their first Test series victory in New Zealand in over three decades, beginning with the opening Test on Tuesday.
During a training session ahead of the Test, Hodge highlighted that while skill and talent are common among players at this level, the mental aspect will be crucial in tackling the formidable New Zealand team, especially known for their strong record on home soil. “The most important thing is just the mental aspect. We know, when you get to this level, everybody has the skill, everybody has the talent. So I think how we gel together as a group and prepare mentally and be ready for the challenge is important,” he stated.
The 32-year-old batsman, who has returned to the squad after missing the recent Test series against Australia and India, made a mark by scoring an unbeaten 55 in the team’s warm-up match against a New Zealand XI. This outing provided valuable experience as the players acclimatize to the conditions, which differ significantly from the Caribbean pitches.
Hodge commented on the necessity of adjusting to the local environment, noting, “Obviously, it’s different from back in the Caribbean; the pitches have a lot more bounce and the fast bowlers have a lot more seam movement. So it was really good to spend some time in the middle.” He expressed confidence in the team’s performance during the warm-up match, where the openers also gained valuable time at the crease.
As the Windies prepare to face their opponents, the spirit of adaptation and unity within the squad is set to play a critical role in their pursuit of success in this challenging series.