Slippery hands let WI off the hook
Tuesday, June 1 2004
Bangladesh managed to floor no less than six catches over the course of day three, including three off centurion Chris Gayle, to go a long way towards blowing a great opportunity at victory in the first Test against the West Indies. Gayle was the only true shining light on a day that could have been so much worse for the home side than it ultimately was.
Resuming on 406/9, Collins wasted no time in wrapping up the Bangladesh innings, bowling Rafique for 111 - 416 all out - the highest total by Bangladesh in Test cricket. The Bajan left-armer finished with the best figures of 4 for 83.
Starting their first innings, the West Indies quickly experienced disaster, with Devon Smith run out for a duck on his return to Test cricket. Sarwan joined Gayle (who was dropped on 24, 28 and 47) and looked fluent at the crease. He too was granted a life though, pulling Baisya straight to midwicket where the simple chance was set down. In the next over, Sarwan went for the hook again and hit it well for the maximum. A ball later he completed the threesome of hooks, this time finding Rafique on the deep square leg boundary.
Playing his first Test innings since his 400 not out against England in Antigua, Brian Lara looked to be in sublime touch. The West Indies captain executed some glorious strokes through the offside until he tried to be a bit too cheeky, and was caught behind for 53 - 162/3.
One left-hander replaced another, but Chanderpaul only made 7 runs before being dismissed by Rafique. Even in his short stay he too was dropped, a straightforward chance to midwicket. At 183/4, the West Indies were found to be in some difficulty, still needing 34 runs to avoid the follow-on.
However, Dwayne Smith played a swift yet largely sensible innings of 42 in a partnership of 70 runs with Gayle. Late in the day's play, Smith committed suicide in typical fashion, skying Rafique to Aziz on the boundary - 253/5. Stumps were drawn with the score at 262/5, Gayle unbeaten on 110 and Jacobs on 1.
Gayle raised his bat for his century following his 218th ball and it contained 13 fours. It is Gayle's fifth Test hundred and his first against Bangladesh.
The West Indies will resume on day four, still needing 154 runs to draw level with Bangladesh.
Match Summary:
Bangladesh 1st innings 416 ao (135.3 overs)
(Habibul Bashar 113, Mohammad Rafique 111, Mohammad Ashraful 81)
(PT Collins 4/83, RR Sarwan 3/59, JJC Lawson 2/66)
West Indies innings 262/5 (86 overs)
(CH Gayle 110 not out, BC Lara 53, DR Smith 42)
(Mohammad Rafique 2/81)
Posted by Liam
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