Holder leads way as WI whip Bangladesh
CAPTAIN JASON Holder believes that the West Indies were able to beat Bangladesh by 166 runs in the second Test and with it register a commanding 2-0 series victory at Sabina Park yesterday because they played good cricket.
The West Indies won the match on the third day after Bangladesh fell for 168 in their second innings. The tourists were set a victory target of 335. This was after the regional men were dismissed for a paltry 129 in their second innings after scoring an impressive 359 in their first. Bangladesh scored 149 in their first innings.
“It’s great to see the guys come here at Sabina Park and play the cricket that we did,” expressed Holder. “We didn’t bat as well as we would have wanted to in the second innings, but credit to guys the way we came back in the second innings to bowl out Bangladesh. It’s a great feeling.”
West Indies who leapfrogged Bangladesh in the ICC Test rankings after the win, triumphed on the back of an outstanding bowling spell from Holder, who claimed five for 59 in the second innings, to end with career-best figures of 11 for 103 runs.
All-rounder Roston Chase, with two for 20, best supported Holder in the field, while Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan hit a topscore of 54.
Earlier, the West Indies failed to post a more desirable second innings total due to some skilful bowling from left-arm spinner Hasan. He claimed six for 33 from 17 overs with middle-order batsman Chase topscoring with 32.
GOOD CRICKET
“I thought the guys really played some good cricket throughout the series,” Holder, who was named man-of-thematch, and man-of-the-series, pointed out.
“We put our foot down in Antigua and really stamped our authority up front. Credit to the bowlers as they really put us in a position to win this series,” he added while also praising his batsmen.
Holder, who said the team’s focus would next turn their remaining Test series of the year, away to India and Bangladesh, also believes that while improvement was required the team was heading in the right direction.
“The main goal is to make a steady progression upward,” he said. “We’ve now got India and Bangladesh away for the rest of the year, which should be another tough Test for us. Therefore, there is still some time to make some improvements in terms of our personal game, and try to hit the ground running in September in India.”