ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):
THE WEST Indies needed just 40 minutes to wrap up the opening Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday’s fifth and final day and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Pacer Alzarri Joseph was responsible for the two wickets that fell, and also in last-man Shoriful Islam’s retirement, as Bangladesh, resuming on their overnight total of 109 for seven in pursuit of 334 for a famous victory, were limited to 132 for nine to hand the home side victory by a mammoth 201 runs.
Jaker Ali started positively when he flicked Jayden Seales to the fine-leg boundary in the day’s first over, but Joseph struck in the next when he had Hasan Mahmud caught behind by wicketkeeper Joshua DaSilva for a duck, to leave the score 113 for eight.
Ali’s hour and a half resistance then came to an end when he was trapped dead in front of middle stump by Joseph for 31, as he tried to walk across his crease and steer a delivery on the onside.
The next ball, Islam was greeted by Joseph with a short-pitched delivery that crashed into the back of his shoulder, which ultimately led to him retiring hurt in the next over to end the contest.
The second and final Test match begins on Saturday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.