A maiden Test century from Justin Greaves anchored a massive second-day total for the West Indies. They racked up 450 for 9 before attacking Bangladesh’s batting at the close on day two of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Greaves’ 115 not out added to the hosts 261 for 7, and Bangladesh found themselves with an intimidating 410 runs behind with eight wickets in hand.
A brilliant 140-run eighth-wicket partnership between Greaves and Kemar Roach, 47, contributed to the Windies’ recovery.
Overnight batsman Joshua Da Silva was removed by Mahmud with the fifth ball on the second day for 14.
In his next over, Mahmud had Alzarri Joseph superbly caught by Zakir Hasan for 4. But Roach and Greaves ensured the home side made it to lunch without further damage. In the afternoon, Greaves survived a caught-behind chance on 77.
Soon after, Roach and Greaves brought up the team’s maiden century partnership for the eighth wicket against Bangladesh.
Mahmud eventually removed Roach with a satisfactory delivery that hit the top of his stumps, but the pair had already done enough to ensure a substantial total.
Greaves continued his superb performance with the bat and reached his century off Taijul Islam’s 181 balls.
The 26-year-old Barbadian faced 206 balls, hitting only four boundaries, which not only salvaged the West Indies’ innings but also laid the foundation.
Hasan Mahmud was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, while seamer Taskin Ahmed took two. Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam managed three wickets from a combined 73.1 overs.
West Indies declared their innings at the end of the 145th over, leaving Bangladesh with 1 hour and 45 minutes to bat before the close.
Zakir Hasan was the first to fall on 15 when he under-edged a delivery from Jayden Seales onto his stumps.
Soon after, Mahmudul Hasan Joy was caught behind off Alzarri Joseph for just 5, as the West Indies had Bangladesh stumbling on 20 for 2 by the end of the day, with a massive 410 runs off target.
