Kraigg Brathwaite scored a superb double century in the first Test match © AFP
Kraigg Brathwaite scored a superb double century in the first Test match © AFP

By Shiamak Unwalla

Sep 12, 2014

West Indies romped through against Bangladesh in the first Test, winning by 10 wickets after a brilliant double hundred from Kraigg Brathwaite and fifties from Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul ground the Bangladeshi bowling to a pulp.

Taijul Islam took a five-wicket haul on debut, including the big breaks of Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, and Kirk Edwards. Taijul continues Bangladesh’s impressive tradition of producing good left-arm spinners. None of the other bowlers had much luck though, and the West Indians made merry on a pitch with no real demons.

In reply, Bangladesh folded for 182 and 314 respectively. Bangladesh’s old nemeses Sulieman Benn and Kemar Roach were the wreckers-in-chief, snaring seven and five wickets in the match respectively. Mushfiqur Rahim was undoubtedly the batsman of the match for Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten 48 in the first innings and a resolute 116 in the second. However, none of the other Bangladeshi batsmen really came to terms with proceedings.

Bangladesh’s batting continues to be their bane, and while the bowling was good in patches, they need to find a more stability in their attack. With Al-Amin Hossain’s action being reported, he might not be included in the next game, which could give Shafiul Islam a chance. For West Indies, Chris Gayle will not be featuring in what will be their 500th Test due to personal reasons, which means left-handed middle-order batsman Leon Johnson could make his debut.

On the whole, it looks like West Indies should make short work of Bangladesh. Going by the results seen so far on this tour, the Bangladeshi batting is likely to flounder and their bowling will possibly be carted all over the park. Of course, cricket is a funny game and one never knows when an upset is just ‘round the corner.

Squads:

West Indies: Denesh Ramdin (c&wk), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Sulieman Benn, Kraigg Brathwaite, Leon Johnson, Jermaine Blackwood, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shane Shillingford

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (c&wk), Tamim Iqbal, Robiul Islam, Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Anamul Haque, Mahmudullah, Al-Amin Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Elias Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Shamsur Rahman, Shuvgata Hom

(Shiamak Unwalla is a reporter with CricketCountry. He is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and cricket fanatic who likes to pass his free time by reading books, watching TV shows, and eating food. Sometimes all at the same time)