Windies continue winning ways

The West Indies take the lead in their Test series with Bangladesh as England gradually improve against India.

CRICKET-BAN-WIS
The Windies are buzzing in confidence after winning Twenty20 World Cup and improving Test form [AFP]

West Indies won the first Test against Bangladesh by 77 runs on the fifth and final day in Dhaka on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

It is a good period for West Indian cricket with the team winning the 2012 Twenty20 World Cup and August’s Test series against New Zealand 2-0. 

Bangladesh, who were set a 245-run target, were bowled out for 167 in their second innings to lose for the 64th time in their 74 Tests.

Sohag Gazi took 6-74 – the best figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on debut – to raise hopes of a home win as the West Indies were dismissed for 273 in their second innings in the morning.

But the Bangladeshi batsmen floundered against a pace-cum-spin West Indian attack, with Tino Best taking a maiden five-wicket haul with 5-24 and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul finishing with 3-32.

“The team has a whole new belief and we are trying to get more consistent in Tests. We are looking to improve with every game”

West Indian captain Darren Sammy

“Bangladesh played really well, but credit must go to our bowlers and batsmen. It turned out to be a very good wicket after 1000 runs in the first two innings, but there was something in the final stages of the match,” said West Indian captain Darren Sammy.

“The team has a whole new belief and we are trying to get more consistent in Tests. We are looking to improve with every game.” 

The second and final Test begins in Khulna from November 21.

In the first Test between England and India in Ahmedabad, India are still in a strong position despite England fighting back in the follow on.

England trail by 219 but openers Alistair Cook and Nick Compton began their team’s second innings strongly ending the third day on 111-0.

England are replying to India’s declared total of 521-8, after only managing a measly 191 in their first attempt.

Captain Cook, who is on 74 not out, will look to lead his team from the front by reaching a century and climbing the mountain that is ahead of his side.

Nick Compton, who is legendary English batsman Dennis Compton’s grandson, is only 16 runs away from making a half-century on his Test debut.

Kiwi plight 

Rangana Herath and Shaminda Eranga shared five wickets to put New Zealand under pressure on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Left-arm spinner Herath removed well-set Brendon McCullum (68), Daniel Flynn (53) and James Franklin (three) in the afternoon session before New Zealand reached 155-6 in their first innings at tea.

The tourists were struggling at 40-3 following paceman Eranga’s double-strike in the morning before McCullum and left- handed Flynn steadied the innings with a 90-run stand for the fourth wicket.

McCullum played some aggressive shots in the afternoon, hitting off-spinner Suraj Randiv and Herath for sixes. He fell immediately after hitting his second six, bowled by Herath.

The New Zealand opener also cracked eight fours in his 125-ball knock. Herath got his third wicket when he had Flynn caught behind after the batsman had hit seven fours in his 152-ball knock.

Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers did the early damage when they bagged three wickets after New Zealand elected to bat, with Eranga striking twice and Nuwan Kulasekara once.

Source: News Agencies