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Banks bags 4, but B'desh fight back

Saturday, June 5 2004

Omrai Banks made a keen return to international competition today, with four wickets until the Bangladesh tail frustrated the West Indies once again to the close. First Test centurions, Khaled Mashud (39) and Mohammad Rafique (30) combined with Tapash Baisya (34 not out) to frustrate the home bowlers at Sabina Park.

At stumps, Bangladesh was 264/9, a 26-run tenth wicket stand in progress and the previous two wickets having added 86 runs. All in all it was a gutsy recovery from the Bangladeshis on a pitch which gradually flattened out after providing some early help for the bowlers. Omari Banks took career-best figures of 4 for 80 of impressive bowling to peg away at the middle order, including the wicket of current topscorer, Rajin Saleh (47).

The game began very similarly to the first Test. With the threats in mind of resigning the captaincy unless the West Indies win this Test, Lara began his victory quest by losing the toss. For the second Test in a row, Habibul Bashar elected confidently to take first strike. First ball - BANG. Pedro Collins became the first bowler in the history of the game to dismiss the same batsman three times with the first ball of a Test match, Sarkar LBW once more without playing a shot.

Bashar was set to recover the innings for the third consecutive time with Omar, and the two added 37 runs until he was out to a horrid attempted pull - top-edged and caught by Banks at gully for 20. In the first over, Collins had Bashar caught behind for 4 off a noball and later well-caught by Banks, also off a noball, when on 12. Omar got to the same score (20), then perished to Edwards, flashing at a quick bouncy ball to Jacobs - 54/3.

Mohammad Ashraful (16) and Manjural Islam Rana (7) made minor contributions and were felled by Banks and Best respectively to leave the score at a stuttering 97/5. It was now that Bangladesh showed their true strength as Mushfiqur Rahman (22) and Rajin Saleh (47) contrived to add 48 runs, then were separated within 4 overs of each other to offspinner Banks. After a typically aggressive cameo, Rafique gave Banks his fourth wicket by chipping a simple catch to Collins at midoff to end a 40-run partnership. This would only open the gates for a 46-run stand, however, as the tired West Indian bowlers failed to get the new ball on target with enough regularity.

Eventually Mashud slashed a drive and was easily caught by 'man of the day' Banks. That was the last success for the West Indies. In the last over of scheduled play, Baisya was dropped by Gayle off a visibly disappointed and emotionally exhausted Tino Best, a simple chance at first slip.

Over the course of the day, both teams fought with heart and exhibited great effort. Ultimately Bangladesh rose to the occasion again and stalled the West Indies hopes.

Match Summary:

Bangladesh 1st innings 264/9 (90 overs)
(Rajin Saleh 47, Khaled Mashud 39, Tapash Baisya 34 not out)
(OAC Banks 4/80, PT Collins 2/54, FH Edwards 2/66)

Posted by Liam