The West Indies are looking to carry momentum into the second Test against Bangladesh after securing a comprehensive 201-run victory in the first Test in Antigua. That was their first home Test win in two-and-a-half years.
Pace spearhead Alzarri Joseph delivered a fiery performance, taking key wickets and rattling Bangladesh’s lower order with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries.
His sharp bouncer to Shoriful Islam forced the No. 11 batter to retire hurt, sealing the victory. Kemar Roach also showed his class by striking early in both innings and finishing with match figures of 5 for 41.
Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales added further firepower to the hosts’ pace attack as they cleaned up Bangladesh’s struggling batting lineup.
Justin Greaves anchored the batting effort with an unbeaten 115, his maiden Test hundred, which steadied the West Indies after early setbacks.
His 140-run partnership with Roach, who chipped in with a career-best 47, ensured a strong first-innings total of 450. The hosts’ bowlers dominated throughout, though the second innings did collapse to Taskin Ahmed’s career-best 6 for 64.
West Indies squad
Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican
West Indies Playing 11 vs Bangladesh- 2nd Test, Bangladesh tour of West Indies 2024
Openers: Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis
Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis are likely to open for the Windies in the match ahead. Skipper Brathwaite will look to make a bigger impact after a quiet outing in the last Test, where he managed only 28 runs.
On the other hand, Mikyle Louis showed elements of resurgence with a good knock in the first innings of the previous Test. He missed a well-deserved century after getting out on 97.
While Brathwaite looks for consistency at the top, Louis’ effort of near-century has given hope to the Windies’ batting line-up. Together, this duo will be very important in getting a good start as the West Indies will look to set the tone early.
Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva (WK)
Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, and Kavem Hodge are expected to anchor the batting while providing stability in the middle overs.
Athanaze, who has scored a breezy 90 in the first innings of the previous Test, would look to reproduce his aggressive stroke play. Greaves had been quite resilient scoring 115 runs in the last match. Hodge, too, has been steady with scores of 25 and 15 across the innings.
Joshua Da Silva is the wicketkeeper who has batted under pressure and will be able to provide composure when the game reaches tense situations.
Bowlers: Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales
West Indies’ bowling arsenal is set to feature a pace quartet, with Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales leading the charge.
Roach will bring vast experience after having taken key wickets in the last Test, including a three-wicket haul in Bangladesh’s second innings.
Alzarri Joseph claimed five wickets in the previous game, including a crucial three-for in the first innings that dismantled the middle order.
Shamar Joseph showed his potential with two important scalps in the second innings
Jayden Seales brings an aggressive edge, having bagged four wickets in the last Test, including two vital breakthroughs in the opening innings