Pace trio curbs WI to 380

Bangladesh's pace attack enjoyed a rare good day on the field yesterday at St Lucia as the trio of Shafiul Islam, Robiul Islam and Al-Amin Hossain picked a total of seven West Indies wickets in the first innings. PHOTO: AFP

An improved display from Bangladesh's pacers helped restrict the West Indies to 380 on the second day of the second Test at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia yesterday.

Bangladesh, who started batting an hour before Tea lost Shamsur Rahman, who got himself caught behind to a delivery down the leg-side. At Tea Bangladesh stood at 25 for 1, with Tamim Iqbal on 23.

The rarity of Bangladesh's pace-bowling performance can be understood from the fact that the last time the pacers took seven or more wickets in an innings was back in 2007

With an overnight score of 246 for 3 the hosts were expected to cruise through to a huge total. However, the morning session saw them lose four wickets for just 19 runs. 

The day began with Bangladesh's pacers giving away just five runs in the first five overs. The pressure got to the batsman and Darren Bravo reacted by chasing a wide delivery and getting an edge to Mushfiqur Rahim.

Jermaine Blackwood came in next and made his intent clear by driving Shafiul Islam through the covers in only the fifth ball he faced. A couple of overs later though he edged one to slip.

Captain Denesh Ramdin came and went as he edged a chest-high delivery to Mushfiqur in the first ball he faced. Shafiul then removed Kemar Roach with a full-length delivery that caught the edge.

Stranded on one side of the wicket, Chanderpaul saw his partners depart one after the other. The left-hander, who was dropped on four in the previous day, too lived dangerously as he was unable to control a bouncer from Al-Amin--when the hosts were on 269 for 6-- and edged it in between second lip and gully.

After Roach's departure the hosts were at 269 for 7 and that's when Jerome Taylor entered the game.

He hammered a 32-ball 40 and transferred the pressure back on the visitors. His hits were straight and cleared the ground with ease. He punched Shafiul for two sixes down the ground. Taylor did however live dangerously. He edged a delivery from Shafiul miles in the air in the 106th over only for Mominul Haque to drop it at cover. He was eventually caught at long-on off Taijul Islam while attempting a slog hit.

Batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul once again proved to be the thorn in the flesh as he lifted the West Indies to a position of strength on the second day of the second Test against Bangladesh at Gros Islet in Saint Lucia on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

Suleiman Benn tried to replicate Taylor and smacked a 19-ball 25. He however, was caught at fine-leg while attempting a pull shot. Soon after Shannon Gabriel was bowled by Robiul and Chanderpaul who had scored his 65th half-century remained unbeaten on 84 and failed to get to his century.