WI VS BAN 2ND TEST

Right then, this has been a cagey start to the Test. The pacers were expected to dominate at this venue, and there has certainly been enough assistance for them to keep the batters on edge. If not for the dropped catches, Bangladesh might not be feeling as comfortable as they are at the moment. It will be about starting all over again for Shahadat Hossain and Shadman Islam as they look to build on their solid foundations and ensure they make the opportunities given to them count. Given that we could only get 30 overs in on this opening day, play will start 15 minutes early on Day 2 to make up for the lost time. The first ball will be bowled at 2.45 pm GMT, but as always, you can join us early for the build-up. For now, you can switch tabs and enjoy the action from the first Test between New Zealand and England in Christchurch. Cheers!

Kemar Roach comes in for a quick chat. He says that he stayed relaxed during the delay with the boys in the dressing room. Shares that he had a chat with the umpires and got to know about the start of play so got himself ready to bowl. Further mentions that bowling in the first Test gave him enough experience to bowl to the Bangladesh batters and tried to just challenge them on the front foot and keep testing the batters in and around the off stump. Tells that consistency is key in bowling and controlling the run rate. Feels that this was a pretty even day as the outfield has been heavy and the flies troubled the players a bit but he is happy with the wickets he got.

Shahadat Hossain was also dropped once and, unlike his partner, did not look as convincing, but he did enough to see out the day, especially as the light began to fade during the final few overs. Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph, and Justin Greaves all had chances put down off their bowling, which will be disappointing for the West Indies, given the bowler-friendly conditions they were operating in.

Earlier, rain in the days leading up to the game resulted in a wet outfield, causing the match to begin five hours past its scheduled time. Bangladesh won the coin flip, with Mehidy Hasan choosing to bat first. Due to the late start, there wasn’t much moisture in the surface, but the ball nipped around just enough to trouble the Bangladeshi batters. Kemar Roach, as he has so often done, set the tone by accounting for Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque with his probing line and length. Shadman Islam, who was dropped twice, looked assured apart from those missed chances and continued to tick along nicely with a positive yet solid mindset on the way to his 5th Test fifty.

The light has deteriorated further, and it is now deemed insufficient for play to continue. STUMPS have been called on Day 1. End of a truncated day, where we saw 30 overs of attritional cricket. After being reduced to 10/2 within the first 7 overs, Bangladesh will be relieved that no further casualties followed. On the other hand, West Indies will be disappointed with their performance, having dropped 3 catches and failing to claim more than 2 wickets despite bowler-friendly conditions.

Tossed up, slower through the air, on off stump, Shadman Islam goes forward to defend it.

Looped up now, fuller and on off, Shadman Islam lunges and blocks it out.

Fired in, flat and short, on off, Shadman Islam goes on the back foot and defends it well.

Much fuller this time, on off stump, Shadman Islam rocks back and punches it back to the bowler.

Full and outside off, turning away, Shadman Islam rocks back to cut it towards point.

Braithwaite starts off from around the wicket, fired on leg stump as Shahadat Hossain goes on one knee and sweeps it towards deep fine leg for a single.

The light meter is out, and the reading confirms that play can continue, but the light is insufficient for the pacers to operate. Kraigg Brathwaite has decided to bring himself into the attack.

Turning back in, full and on middle, Shadman Islam smothers the spin as he defends it out off the front foot.

Looped up, full and on middle, Shadman Islam eases it down the deck.

Flatter and shorter, on off, Shahadat Hossain gets on top of it and punches it past cover for a run.

FIFTY FOR SHADMAN! A well-compiled and determined half-century from the left-hander under testing conditions. Shadman will now aim to build on this solid foundation and convert it into a big score for his team. This is dropped short by Hodge, on off, Shadman Islam makes room and cuts it wide of backward point for a single to get to his fifty.

SIX! Excellent use of the feet! Tossed up by Hodge, on off, Shadman Islam skips down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball. Launches it over long on for a six.

Floated up, full and around off, Shadman Islam leans and tucks it to mid-wicket.