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West Indies slumps again

ST. GEORGE’S: The makeshift West Indies side struggled against Bangladeshi spin again on a rain-affected third day of the second Test as the Caribbean side closed on 192 for eight in its second innings.

Shakib Al-Hasan took four for 62 after the West Indies, which had a five-run first-innings lead, struggled to make a score that would give it a chance of levelling the series.

Only Travis Dowlin, who made 49 to follow his 95 in the first innings and Dave Bernard who completed his third half century in the series, showed any competence against tight slow bowling from Bangladesh.

Wilting

Bangladesh deployed an attacking field with close catchers around the bat throughout the day, illustrating its confidence that, as in the first Test and the first innings in Grenada, West Indies would wilt against the constant probing.

It was encouraged when left-handed opener Omar Phillips holed out to square-leg off Shakib Al-Hasan and Ryan Hinds inexplicably tried to sweep a ball going down leg side and gloved to Mahmudullah at leg slip.

Skipper Floyd Reifer’s miserable series with the bat continued as he was again trapped lbw by Mahmudullah for three.

Mahmudullah’s bunny

In four innings, the 36-year-old Reifer has been dismissed on each occasion by Mahmudullah’s off-spin, three times via lbw decisions.

Rain sent the players scampering for a slightly early tea break, and they never returned to the field, despite several attempts.

Meanwhile, injured Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been ruled out of the ODI series too, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Monday. — Agencies

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