West Indies Cautious Opening

The West Indies won the toss and batted in the second and final Test of their series away to Bangladesh, after the first Test was ruined by rain.

After the top three had batted them into a commanding position, Bangaldesh's three spinners, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, and to a lesser extent Suhrawadi Shuvo, started to weave a web around the West Indians and runs dried up. Hasan, in particular, was miserly and it was odd that his only wicket was the nightwatchmen as he conceded just 31 runs in 23 overs.

Kirk Edwards sweeps during his 71x

Kieran Powell came into the side for the injured Lendl Simmons and batted fluently with Kraigg Braithwaite. They batted like old time Test cricketers, matching caution with punishment, playing each ball on its merits and their three figure opening stand was worthy of them. It was, however, Kirk Edwards who caught the eye. He had looked tied to the crease by the spinners in Chittagong but he's a quick learner and he used his feet impressively here. In only his third Test, its dangerous to put expectations of players who make good early starts but he looks like the West Indians of years gone by. He has the swagger, the style and performance of one around which a good side may be built.

Not that the famous Collapso Cricketers didn't put the skids under themselves, losing three wickets in the final session, including the completely wasteful use of another failed nightwatchmen. Kemar Roach was sent in to protect Marlon Samuels for eight overs and lasted less than three, completely out of his league against the spinners. As it was, Samuels strode out and hit four boundaries in his twenty deliveries before stumps, perhaps suggesting his own thoughts to Darren Bravo.