GROS ISLET – Shiv Chanderpaul’s second half-century of the match and third in as many innings, propelled West Indies to a massive lead and left Bangladesh with a Herculean task of saving the second Test.
At the close of the third day here yesterday, West Indies were 208 for four, already a lead of 427 runs, with two days still left in the contest at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Once again, it was Chanderpaul who was at the heart of the Windies progress, finishing on 63 not out to follow up his unbeaten 84 in the first innings.
He has so far added 108 for the fifth wicket with Jermaine Blackwood, who was in sight of his second Test half-century on 43.
Their stand was required when West Indies slumped to 100 for four, 20 minutes after tea, courtesy of a double strike by off-spinner Mahmudullah, who removed Darren Bravo for seven and then opener Kraigg Brathwaite in quick succession.
Chanderpaul has so far faced 98 balls and struck five fours while Blackwood has hit a four and a six off 96 deliveries.
West Indies had earlier claimed a commanding 219-run lead, after left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn captured two of the last three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 161 in their first innings.
Resuming from their overnight 104 for seven, the visitors were dismissed 20 minutes before lunch, with Benn finishing with two for 19.
Seamers Kemar Roach, who took five for 42, and Jerome Taylor, two for 41, failed to add to their spoils from Sunday.
Bangladesh kept the Windies wicket-less for nearly 45 minutes in the morning session with Mahmudullah, unbeaten on 13 overnight, taking the fight to the West Indies bowlers with a top score of 53.
It was pacer Shannon Gabriel who got the breakthrough, finding Shafiul’s edge through to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin at 134 for eight.
After the drinks break, Mahmudullah clubbed Gabriel over the ropes at mid-wicket and then raised his half-century by banging a full toss from the same bowler to the long on boundary.
However, he perished in the next over when he edged a cut at Benn behind and Robiul Islam followed soon afterward, lbw without scoring to the lanky Barbadian.
With the Windies opting not to enforce the follow-on, Brathwaite and Leon Johnson gave them another cautious start, putting on 76 to set the foundation for an intimidating target.
On 12 without loss at lunch, West Indies pushed on afterward, with the left-handed Johnson striking eight fours in an innings lasting 59 balls and 77 minutes. Johnson was bowled 40 minutes before tea, coming down the wicket and playing over a full length delivery from left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
Kirk Edwards’ miserable form continued when he fell cheaply for two. He was given out lbw before he had scored to the third ball he faced, but reviewed the decision and replays showed he had gotten an inside edge.
However, the right-hander was eventually caught at gully by Shamsur Rahman, fending off one from seamer Shafiul Islam.
On 90 for two at tea, West Indies suffered two major setbacks almost immediately afterward. Bravo lofted the first ball of the fourth over after the resumption over long-on for four but was then bowled the very next ball. Two overs later, Brathwaite prodded forward to one from Mahmudullah which drifted and edged to Shamsur at slip. (CMC)
