Windies struggle with spin
DHAKA, Bangladesh:
The Windies bowlers and batsmen were put through the wringer by Bangladesh on the second day of the second Test match in Dhaka, with Bangladesh taking firm control of the first innings.
Resuming on their overnight total of 259/5, Bangladesh wasted no time in going after the Windies bowlers. By the end of the first session, they added well over 100 runs to their total while losing no wickets. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah punished the Windies bowlers, who had no answers on a pitch that offered no assistance. The pair posted a mammoth 111-run partnership before Kemar Roach broke it, removing Shakib for 80.
The Bangladesh tail-enders frustrated the Windies as they continued building partnerships. Mahmudullah then got a trusted partner in Liton Das and the pair added 92 runs to the total before Das was bowled by Kraigg Brathwaite trying to reverse sweep. Mehidy Hasan did not stick around too long, on 18, Jomel Warrican had him caught behind. Taijul Islam joined Mahmudullah, the pair added 56 runs together, when Brathwaite got his second wicket, that of Taijul for 26. Mahmudullah eventually fell for 136, bowled by Warrican.
Bangladesh ended the innings on 508 all out. Kraigg Brathwaite returned the best bowling figures for the Windies, taking 2/57, while Kemar Roach has 2/61, Jomel Warrican 2/91, Devendra Bishoo 2/109 and Shermon Lewis 1/69.
WORST START
The Windies had the worst possible start they could have imagined as Brathwaite was bowled on the last ball of the first over for nought by Shakib. Four runs later, Mehidy got one to keep straight and go through bat and pad to bowl Kieran Powell for four. Soon after, Sunil Ambris became the third victim, also bowled by Shakib. Roston Chase made a first ball duck, bowled by Mehidy, and Shai Hope became Mehidy’s third wicket, when he too was bowled for 10. The Windies were left reeling on 29/5 after 12 overs.
Shimron Hetmyer and Shane Dowrich planted themselves at the crease, despite several appeals and shouts, and played their natural but cautious game. Hetmyer, for his 32, accounted for three fours, while Dowrich’s 17 included one four. The Windies recovered somewhat to close their first innings reply on Day two on 75/5, still some 433 runs adrift of Bangladesh’s first innings total. Mehidy Hasan was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, taking 3/36, while Shakib Al Hasan had 2/15.