KINGSTOWN, (Reuters) – West Indies opening batsman Omar Phillips fell six runs short of a debut test century as Bangladesh fought back on the third day of the first test in St Vincent by bowling the hosts out for 307.
West Indies had a first innings lead of 69 which was cut to 43 at the close with Bangladesh on 26 without loss from seven overs.
A tiny crowd of just a few hundred fans watched an ad-hoc West Indies team after the 13 selected players withdrew due to a dispute between the region’s cricket board and the players’ union over contractual and payment issues.
Although the match has the air of a low-key tour game rather than a full international test, Phillips’ innings was a reminder that it is also an opportunity for lesser known players to stake a claim for a future role.
Having lost opener Dale Richards in the final session on Friday, West Indies resumed on 17 for one with night-watchman Ryan Austin at the crease with Phillips.
Bangladesh suffered an early setback when captain and seam bowler Mashrafe Mortaza damaged his knee during a delivery and had to leave the field having suffered a recurrence of a previous injury. He did not return.
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With West Indies only selecting four specialist batsmen, spinner Austin provided some much needed support to the left-hander Phillips.
Although the night-watchman only made 17, he stayed at the crease for 85 deliveries and shared in a 79-run second wicket partnership.
Barbadian Phillips, who normally plays in the regional competition for Combined Colleges and Campuses, batted patiently, produced some elegant shots and was occasionally brave enough to hit over the top. Austin finally went, caught at second slip by Imrul Kayes off Rubel Hossain, to be replaced by Guyanese right-hander Travis Dowlin who made 22 before being trapped leg before by Shakib Al Hasan.
Phillips looked set for the rare achievement of a debut century but he over-reached at a wide delivery from Rubel Hossain and drove into the hands of Raqibul Hasan.
Skipper Floyd Reifer, playing his first test in over 10 years, put on 51 with Dave Bernard but a promising stand was cut short when left-hander Reifer was caught at slip trying to drive the spin of Mohammed Mahmudullah.
Wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton fell to Mahmudullah’s next ball, glancing to leg slip, but Bernard batted well for his 53, ably supported by Darren Sammy who was another victim of Mahmudullah’s shrewd spin, bowled playing down the wrong line, last man out for 48.
Bangladesh’s opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes had little trouble surviving a short session.
