Kraigg Brathwaite’s seventh Test century was the foundation for the West Indies’ first innings score of 406.
In a very measured innings, Brathwaite took 291 balls to craft his score of 121, racking up 11 fours. In the age of T20, many might bemoan the relatively slow nature of his batting (S/R 41.58), but it served as a great lesson of how to apply oneself when batting in a Test match: take full advantage to bang runs under your belt when you have the opportunity.
Against a Bangladesh side that had crumbled to 43 all out in the first innings, this match is unlikely to cause anyone other than the West Indies wicketkeeper and close fielders to strap on the pads again, so the batsmen had to cash in while they could.
Surprisingly, aside from Brathwaite and Devon Smith (58 yesterday), only Shai Hope was able to notch a half-century, his 67 coming off a subdued 127 balls, including three fours and a six. Jason Holder and Kemar Roach each scored 33 – Holder’s 46-ball innings included two fours and two sixes, while Roach’s 33 occupied an even more sluggish 50 balls yet included 30 runs in boundaries with six fours and one six.
Abu Jayed took 3-84 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz 3-101, while fielder Liton Das snaffled three catches at short leg off three different bowlers, including a quick-thinking effort to dismiss Shane Dowrich after the ball had deflected on to the batter’s foot (see footage below).
Shannon Gabriel knocked over four Bangladesh top-order batters in his seven overs for just 36 runs (economy 5.14), while Holder took 2-15 off his nine overs (economy 1.66) as Bangladesh battled to stretch the match into the third day. They ended day two nursing their wounds with their score on 62 for six and still trailing by 301 runs.
Photo: RANDY BROOKS/AFP/Getty Images
