Debutant Kyle Mayers stitched up a magnificent unbeaten 210 to help his team secure a historic win against Host Bangladesh. He was well supported by N.Bonner who also played a crucial role in the victory.
After winning the toss , Bangladesh opted to bat first on a typical dry Chattogram pitch . A lot of the home side’s batsmen got starts with 20s and 30s but failed to convert the starts into big ones. But lower order batsman Mehidy Hasan Miraj top scored with a maiden 103 which included 13 fours . It was a great innings from the young batsman who helped his team get to a formidable first innings total especially when his fellow teammates failed to convert their starts. He got assistance from star all rounder Shakid -al-Hassan who in his comeback match scored a well deserved 68. Bangladesh finished with 430 runs in the first innings . Left arm spinner J.Warrican was the pick off the bowler as he notched 4 wickets.
In response, West Indies were bowled out for 259 in their 1st innings with captain K.Brathwaite top scoring with 79 and vice captain J.Blackwood scoring 68 and conceded a big lead of 171 runs to the home side . M.Hasan , who earlier shined with the bat , picked 4 wickets .With a lead of 171 runs , Bangladesh lost 3 early wickets in quick span of time . But captain M.Haque saved the ship from sinking by scoring a superb 115 under pressure and was well supported by L.Das who scored a quick 69.
It was clear that the home side was looking to score quick runs and put the windies into bat on the 4th day as the pitch started to deteriorate . The Windies were set a target of 395 which seemed very difficult in the penultimate days. It was clear that the home side was in the driver’s seat considering the inexperience in the Windies side as their big players opted out of the tour due to Covid concerns.
The comebacks
Cricket experts all around the world expected either a Bangladesh win or a draw considering the pitch which started to deteriorate and there was enough for the spinners . Windies started their innings on a bad note as they were 59/3 at one stage. At that stage even a draw seemed impossible for the visiting side . But then a turnaround happened which nobody had expected. Debutant Kyle Mayers and N.Bonner got in together and notched up a brilliant 216 run partnership for the 4th wicket which shifted the momentum and there was a ray of hope in the Windies camp . Bangladesh failed to grab many opportunities that came into their way as it would have been crucial.
Mayers was on 47 when he was given not out to a lbw decision but later the replays showed that if Bangladesh reviewed it, then he would have been out . There were catches that the Bangladeshi fielders dropped which seemed to cost them the match. Mayers went on to score a record breaking 210 on debut as West Indies won the batch by 3 wickets and created history. N.Bonner scored a brilliant match winning 84.
Mayers was the aggressor between the two and both switched roles as they played calculated cricket . They swept the spinners and took the odd single and also used their feet to full advantage.
This is the 5th highest successful run chase in the history of the game . Being 3-0 in the ODI series, this was a terrific comeback from a young Windies team . Mayers’s 210 surely has to be one of the greatest innings on debut that too in a run chase away from home . Bangladesh will be gutted as they were in a position to win right throughout the match and will be disappointed at the opportunities that they should have cashed in. This would give the entire Windies team confidence going into the next test
The second test begins on the 11th of February with West Indies 1-0 up in the series.
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