BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Montcin Hodge said Leeward Islands Hurricanes have relished their perfect start to the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup.
But the long-standing Hurricanes opener from Anguila said there was still much work to do and areas for improvement.
Hodge made a steely 64 from 79 balls and gave the Hurricanes innings early momentum in a convincing, eight-wicket victory for the hosts over Jamaica Scorpions on Sunday at the Conaree Cricket Centre.
The win was the third successive for the Hurricanes and they hope to ride the wave all the way to the final of the Super50 Cup on December 3 in Trinidad.
Hodge spoke to CWI Media following the game and said hard work and belief have been the ingredients for the Hurricanes’ success. . .
On what’s been going right for the Hurricanes:
Leading into the tournament, the team put in some good work with the new head coach. The guys have really gelled well together, and we have that bond.
On the importance of victory over the Scorpions:
It was very pleasing. Jamaica Scorpions is a team that really comes out to play hard and to see our bowlers come out and hold them back, especially in the last 10 overs of their innings, with wickets in hand, they could have gone for 300. We did well to push them back and limit them to 260-odd.
On his half-century:
It was mostly belief. The past two innings I had 16 and 13, so the coach has been in my ear about belief and playing my game, and not being afraid to play my shots. I went out in this innings and played freely.
On the confidence he gained from his innings:
It will just boost my confidence in terms of helping the team at the top of the order and going further in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals and final in Trinidad is our goal.
On the Conaree Cricket Centre pitch:
Many people coming to play in St. Kitts always talk about Warner Park. They do not know much ab out Conaree. I know this pitch would play this way. It has been a good pitch over the years, so we just backed ourselves to chase down any target the Scorpions had posted.
On their next match against Barbados Pride:
This victory and the start we have had to the tournament have given the team a whole lot of confidence, so we will be very confident going into that game.
On areas for improvement:
Probably our fielding and we gave away a few too many extras. If we can cut back on the extras and tighten on our fielding, we will be good.
Source: CWI Media