Pacers put WI in control at Sabina Park

Fast bowler Jayden Seales continues to show how much he loves the surface at Sabina Park as the Trinidadian sent down one of the most miserly spells in Test cricket to help the West Indies maintain the upper hand against Bangladesh on the second day of the second Test.

Seales bowled the seventh most economical spell in Test cricket history as his 15.5 overs, 10 maidens, and four wickets for five runs helped to dismiss Bangladesh for 164 after they had resumed the second day on 69 for two.

When stumps were drawn, the regional side replied with 70 for one, still trailing by 94 runs heading into today’s third day.

But it was clear that the day belonged to Seales and the fast bowling quartet, who utilised better bowling conditions to peg back the visitors.

It was Shamar Joseph who got things going with the wicket of overnight batsman Shahadat Hossain for 22, with the score on 83.

Then Seales got into the act when he had wicketkeeper Liton Das edging to Kavem Hodge at slip for one, at 88 for four.

Shamar Joseph would then snare his second and third wickets in quick succession as he took care of Jaker Ali for one and then dismissed the innings top-scorer Shadman Islam for 64 to leave the visitors struggling at 98 for six.

Alzarri Joseph would not be left out as he picked up the wicket of Taijul Islam for 16. This left Seales to wrap up the innings by claiming the last three wickets.

The right-handed seamer said his effort was just reward following some simple adjustments on day two.

“I spoke with bowling coach James Franklyn after the first day’s play, and he told me to continue to run in wide of the crease and pitch the ball up and try to get the ball to swing, which I did. I thought we bowled with discipline with our line and length, and we decided we were going to force the batters to hit us down the ground with a fuller length, which paid off,” Seales said.

At their turn at the crease, the Windies had to endure some accurate bowling from the Bangladeshi seamers who eventually picked up the wicket of Mikyle Louis for 12, thanks to some penetrative bowling from rookie seamer Nahid Rana.

In fading light, captain and birthday boy Kraigg Brathwaite, 33, and Keacy Carty 19, weathered the late-evening pace and spin onslaught and will resume today with the West Indies still needing just under 100 to go past the visitors’ first-innings total.