Brathwaite trumps Tigers

The Bangladesh players congratulate Taijul Islam (C) for dismissing Kirk Edwards during the first Test against West Indies at the Arnos Vale in St. Vincent yesterday. PHOTO: WICB

Bangladesh seemed to take a leaf out of their past on the first day of the first Test against the West Indies at Arnos Vale in St Vincent yesterday. For one they entered the game with only three specialist bowlers and as a result spent most of the day with their part-time spinners tossing the ball almost aimlessly.

It therefore was not a surprise to see the hosts cruise to 264 for 3 before rain disrupted play with Kraigg Brathwaite sealing his second Test century.

The hosts prospered through some patient batting and also partly due to a questionable strategic ploy from the Bangladeshis. Considering that the Tigers had highlighted their batting as their strong point in the lead-up to this Test, their decision to field—on a wicket that seemed good for batting-- sparked several questions.

Whether Mushfiqur had succumbed under pressure or it was one of his strategies was not clear but by the end of the first 16 overs the captain had used five bowlers and none of them troubled the batsmen. The bowlers, instead of sticking to one plan tried a host of different things, which failed to provide any positive results.

Al-Amin Hossain for instance, went around the wicket to Gayle very early in the innings, despite bowling a few good deliveries from over the wicket. 

Openers Chris Gayle (64) and Brathwaite (123 not out)raced to a 116-run stand in 40 overs after which Gayle was trapped in front by debutant Shuvagata Hom in the 40th over.

The other debutant, Taijul Islam got his first wicket three overs later as he got Kirk Edwards caught at silly point for 12. The left-armer was in action again as he got Darren Bravo caught at mid-on just before the close of play.

By then Bravo and Brathwaite had put on 128 for the third wicket and the West Indies were in control at 261 for 3. 

While Gayle looked to press on the accelerator Brathwaite batted patiently and waited for the bad deliveries. He reached his half-century in 126 balls with a cut-shot off Shuvagata.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim (L) and West Indies counterpart Denesh Ramdin pose with the Dhaka Bank Test series trophy at St Vincent on Thursday. PHOTO: WICB

He went back into his shell after reaching the mark and looked for those singles. It took him 93 more balls to reach his century, which he did by driving a full-toss comfortably for a four. The period between his 50 and 100 saw Brathwaite just hit three fours.