Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales shared six wickets between them as the West Indies moved within three wickets of victory on the penultimate day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Bangladesh, set a target of 334, ended Monday on 109 for 7, still needing 225 runs for an unlikely win. Roach and Seales spearheaded the West Indies bowling effort, exposing Bangladesh’s frail batting lineup and leaving the visitors staring at defeat.
The West Indies had earlier struggled in their second innings, managing only 152 after Taskin Ahmed’s career-best 6 for 64 tore through their lineup. While the home side retained a significant lead, their inability to build on their commanding first-innings total of 450 for 9 left the door slightly ajar for Bangladesh.
Alick Athanaze top-scored for the West Indies in their second innings with a fighting 42, while captain Kraigg Brathwaite contributed 23. Joshua Da Silva (22) and Alzarri Joseph (17) also chipped in with small but valuable runs in a disappointing batting effort.
Bangladesh’s response got off to a disastrous start, with both openers falling cheaply. Zakir Hasan inside-edged Roach onto his stumps, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Seales to third slip. Roach then delivered a superb setup to Shahadat Hossain, getting several deliveries to seam away before unleashing a vicious inswinger that grazed the glove and was caught by Joshua Da Silva.
Shamar Joseph endured a frustrating spell, with Mominul Haque dropped twice in one over—first by Da Silva down the leg side and then by Mikyle Louis at gully. However, Roach struck again to remove Mominul, taking a sharp return catch off a mistimed drive.
Joseph’s bad luck continued when Alick Athanaze dropped Mehidy Hasan Miraz at second slip, and Seales couldn’t hold onto a chance offered by Litton Das. Joseph eventually found success when Litton mistimed a pull and was caught at fine leg for 22, reducing Bangladesh to 59 for 5.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
West Indies on the brink of series win over Bangladesh
West Indies are on the brink of a 2-0 win in their Test series at home to Bangladesh, needing just three wickets on day five with the tourists requiring 225 runs.
Having reached 269-9 by stumps on Sunday, Bangladesh surprisingly declared overnight while 181 runs behind, leaving Taskin Ahmed to start the day with the ball in hand, rather than the bat.
That decision gave West Indies the chance to rack up another commanding total after they declared at 450 in their first innings, but they could only tag on another 152.
Taskin scalped six in the best bowling display of his red-ball career, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped the hosts' top scorer Alick Athanaze (42) lbw as the Bangladesh bowlers gave their batters a chance.
However, they were not repaid as Miraz's declaration soon started to look ill-advised. Just five balls of Bangladesh's second innings were required for Kemar Roach – who ended the day with figures of 3-20 – to make the breakthrough for West Indies, getting an inside edge off Zakir Hasan (1).
Bangladesh struggled to build any momentum and Roach got two more wickets to leave the tourists 23-4, and while Miraz tried to get things going with 45 off 46 deliveries, he saw a thick edge snapped up by wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva for another crucial wicket.
Jayden Seales joined Roach in scalping three, and though Bangladesh made it to stumps with three wickets intact, they have an almighty task awaiting them on the final day.
Data Debrief: Taskin's efforts in vain?
When Taskin produced his brilliant six-wicket haul, it seemed for a fleeting moment as though Bangladesh's overnight declaration may have been a stroke of inspiration.
Taskin's figures of 6-64 surpassed his previous best red-ball inning figures of 4-37 versus Afghanistan last year, while he has now taken eight wickets altogether in the Antigua Test.
However, when Bangladesh slumped to 23-4 within 13 overs, Miraz was surely regretting his decision not to attempt to bat out Monday's morning session and bring the possibility of a draw into play.
Jofra Archer not guaranteed Ashes place – McCullum
Jofra Archer is not guaranteed to be selected for the Ashes, England head coach Brendon McCullum has said.
The 29-year-old has been part of England's white-ball set-up since May, but has not played Test cricket since February 2021 due to injury issues.
Archer was signed by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL auction on Sunday, meaning he will play even less red-ball cricket ahead of next year's Ashes.
England have attempted to carefully manage the bowler's workload and McCullum cannot say for certain if he will be part of the five-match series.
"He is all-in for playing for England and getting back to red-ball cricket but at the same time there are significant opportunities for him," McCullum said ahead of his side's series in New Zealand.
"We have to be fluid. He has to continue to feel right in his own body, sustain a decent workload and put his hand up from there. There is no guarantee [he will be selected for Test cricket].
"We have unearthed some incredible talent in the last 12 months. The stocks are looking pretty good."
England had requested Archer sit out next year's IPL in order to concentrate on his red-ball return with Sussex.
However, after being left off the initial auction shortlist, Archer was added to it 48 hours later and was snapped up by Rajasthan Royals.
Archer is therefore now set to miss the early part of the County Championship season with Sussex due to an overlap in competitions.
McCullum added: "If he gets fit and ready and that is the skillset we are after, he puts himself in the frame."
Anderson fails to earn IPL deal for 2025
England's all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson went unsigned during the second day of the Indian Premier League auction for 2025.
Anderson, who retired from Test cricket in July, opted to enter the IPL auction despite his last T20 international appearance coming more than 15 years ago.
The 42-year-old, who has never previously played in the IPL but declared 'something in me thinks I can still play' upon entering the auction, had a price tag of £115,000.
However, no team opted to take a punt on the veteran bowler on the second and final day of the auction on Monday.
Anderson could still be signed as an injury replacement or to take the place of any player forced to leave the competition due to international commitments, though his lack of match practice makes that prospect unlikely.
The other big story of the auction saw 13-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi signed by Rajasthan Royals for £105,000, having earned international attention with a 58-ball century for India Under-19s versus Australia last month.
While Anderson was snubbed, several other England players were picked up. Sam Curran was re-signed by Chennai Super Kings one year after becoming the most expensive player in IPL history, with the team also swooping for Jamie Overton.
Will Jacks joined Mumbai Indians, while Moeen Ali was picked up by defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders after going unsold on day one.
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett, as well as Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner, failed to land deals, after India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant became the record buy on Sunday, costing Lucknow Super Giants £2.54million.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
