Fans of the Bangladesh and West Indies under-19 teams are eagerly anticipating the third of seven ODI matches set for today, after the tourists used the willow and the leather to trounce the WI by 63 runs levelling the series 1-1 in the second game played on Wednesday.
Bangladesh lost their first match on Monday miserably, collapsing to 135 and eventually losing by 6-wickets. However, they replicated performances from their first practice match against the Guyana under-19 select team at the Bourda ground as the conditions at the Providence
National Stadium seemed to be a bit more challenging.
Powered by half-centuries from vice-captain Jashim Uddin and Mossadek Hossain Saikat, the tourists motored along to a defendable score on the flat Bourda Cricket Ground deck which may be similar to wickets at home. Playing in totally different conditions from that of the first game, along with an earlier time fixture compared to the day/night in the first match; the batsmen looked more comfortable against all forms of bowling.
The top and middle order batters were a bit more settled and displayed more patience when playing their shots. More control and timing were executed in the second ODI and batsmen will seek to replicate this maturity and control in today’s match.
The bowlers were also effective and were led by spinner Javed Ferdous Rahuttul who spun webs around the Caribbean batsmen, snaring five scalps in his display of fine slow bowling. Other spinners were effective and rallied around Rahuttul, as the opening quick bowler Abu Haider Rony worked up some steam in his brief spell to take proceedings underway.
West Indies, on the other hand, seemed a bit wayward in their batting with starts provided by Jeremy Solozano who top scored with 44 and other middle and lower order contributions from players such as Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetemyer and Tarrick Coleman.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of West Indies batting great Shivnarine Chanderpaul, looked solid at the top of the order but was relatively slow in his innings and will need to increase his strike rate in today’s game. The left-hander played well, though he looked more set to produce a four-day knock and will need to step on the gas especially at the top of the order.
The aggressive Hetemyer who is an opener by nature, batted in the middle and showed his usual aggression but needs to bat a bit higher up the order where he earned his reputation for doing damage.
West Indies bowlers continued to pick up wickets at crucial stages during the two matches and will today return to the battleground where they roughed-up and tumbled the Bangladeshi batsmen. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, who continues to be economical while picking up wickets, will be a key figure in the middle passages or when the ball begins to wear.
With the series levelled one all, both teams will aim to shift the momentum back into their respective camp’s favour and convincingly win the series for their team and personal motivation. The match starts at 1.30pm. Admission is free.
