West Indies vs. Bangladesh, 2nd Test: Day 1 Highlights, Scorecard, Report

West Indies are in a strong position after the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh in St. Lucia.

The visitors took just three wickets all day as the West Indians reached 246-3, with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Leon Johnson recording half-centuries.

The hosts made one alteration to the side that won by 10 wickets last time out, with Chris Gayle replaced at the top of the order by the debutant Johnson.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh made three changes, with Imrul Kayes, Shuvagata Hom and Rubel Hossain making way for Anamul Haque, Shafiul Islam and Robiul Islam.

The visitors won the toss and fielded first on a pitch that offered plenty for the bowlers early, with some early drizzle helping the ball move in the air in the opening overs.

During the first hour, the West Indian openers did well to survive with few problems, and were quite content with a run rate below three runs per over.

It took until the second half of the session for the hosts to find the boundary for the first time, a cover drive from Johnson that came with the first ball after drinks.

The pair continued on their way, and brought up their fifty partnership—and the fifty for their side—in the 23rd over with the run rate hovering just over two.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh bowlers seemed unable to exploit what were rather helpful conditions, as there was plenty in the air for them but they could not make it pay.

The home side went to lunch on 61-0, with debutant Johnson looking solid on 27 not out and Brathwaite similarly comfortable on 20.

After the break, West Indies continued with their serene progress, still content with a run rate that was less than three per over.

Both batsmen remained watchful and did not hit many boundaries, although Johnson did bring up his side’s 100 with a straight six in the 39th over.

Johnson then brought up his maiden half-century with a cut to point, and in the same over off Robiul Islam he was joined at the milestone by Brathwaite, who hit a four to reach 50.

West Indies 1st Innings
Total	246-3	90 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
K. Brathwaite	c T. Islam	b S. Islam	63	214	150
L. Johnson	lbw	b T. Islam	66	227	162
K. Edwards	c S. Rahman	b Mahmudullah	16	64	52
D. Bravo	Not Out		44	152	86
S. Chanderpaul	Not Out		34	100	84
Extras	4nb 9w 2lb 8b	23
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
A. Hossain	18	3	33	0
S. Islam	19	7	37	1
R. Islam	19	4	55	0
T. Islam	20	4	79	1
Mahmudullah	12	2	25	1
N. Hossain	2	0	7	0

However, Brathwaite would be removed shortly after for 63 as he looked to push on slightly before tea, as he scooped a poor ball from Shafiul Islam straight to Taijul Islam at point.

Just three overs later, Johnson too departed for 66 as he was dismissed lbw by Taijul Islam, which Johnson considered reviewing but did not make his decision quickly enough.

Replays showed that Johnson would have been correct to review, as the ball was sliding past leg stump, but he did not pull the trigger in time and so had to leave the crease.

After that slight wobble, it was left to Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo to shepherd the West Indians to tea, but there was almost another wicket as Edwards was dropped by Taijul.

However, both would survive to the interval with the score on 153-2, a healthy advantage with one session left in the day’s play.

At the start of the evening session, both men looked in control, as they continued to maintain a run rate slightly below two runs per over.

There were signs of them starting to up the rate slightly, especially as Bravo unfurled some magnificent shots that peppered the boundaries and showed his obvious class.

Meanwhile, Edwards continued to look dogged having been in poor form recently, and on 16 his stay was ended out of nothing as he was caught at cover off Mahmudullah.

That brought Shivnarine Chanderpaul to the crease, and he looked his typical self as he grafted for runs and settled in, but on four he was dropped at slip off Al-Amin Hossain.

After that minor scare, Chanderpaul and Bravo became a little more defensive as they moved nearer to the close of play, and passed the 200 in the 79th over.

They then continued to the end of the day in the same vein, with West Indies closing on 246-3—Chanderpaul unbeaten on 34 and Bravo 44 not out with the pair having compiled a half-century partnership.

It placed the hosts in a strong position, and they should push on tomorrow and build a big lead in their first innings.