Samuels smashes double century for Windies

Marlon Samuels whacked a magnificent 260 to guide the West Indies into a commanding position against Bangladesh on the third day of the second and final Test in Khulna on Friday.

The 31-year-old Jamaican notched his maiden double century, putting on a 326-run stand for the third wicket with Darren Bravo (127) and another 177 for the fourth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who ended the day 109 not out. Denesh Ramdin finished not out on four.

The run-feast gave the West Indies a healthy 564 runs for 4 wickets and a 177-run lead over Bangladesh’s first innings total of 387 – a position of strength from where they will look to force a series win after taking the first Test in Dhaka by 77 runs.

Samuels thrived on a lifeless pitch before being caught at point off a rising delivery from paceman Rubel Hossain, falling just one short of Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 261 not out – the highest by a West Indian batsman against Bangladesh – made at Kingston in 2004.

The right-handed batsman hit 31 fours and three sixes during a dominating 455-ball knock.

The seasoned Chanderpaul was not left far behind, as he reached his 27th Test hundred in the dying moments of the day when he steered spinner Sohag Gazi for a single towards mid-off, following up on his 203 not out in the first Test.

The 146-Test veteran has so far hit ten fours and a six off 206 balls.

The Samuels-Chanderpaul stand also improved the previous best for a fourth wicket against Bangladesh, erasing the 176- run stand involving Samuels and Sarwan in Dhaka ten years ago.

In the second Test between England and India, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara saved his side from a humiliating first innings with an elegant century on day one. 

Pujara, who scored 247 runs without being dismissed in the first Test, again defied England, making 114 not out to take the hosts to 266-6.

England spinner Monty Panesar played a big part in reducing the home side to 119-5 on the way to figures of 4-91.

But, on a turning wicket, Pujara knocked 97 with Ravichandran Ashwin to put India in a stronger position going into the second day.