West Indies struggle despite Hetmyer’s quickfire fifty
Chittagong, Bangladesh: West Indies were struggling in their first innings on Friday despite a defiant half-century by Shimron Hetmyer in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
West Indies stuttered to 187-6 by tea on the second day after Hetmyer hit 63 off 47 balls in a quickfire counter-attack at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
The visitors trail Bangladesh by 137 runs with four wickets in hand.
Hetmyer, who hit five fours and four sixes, put on 92 runs with Shane Dowrich for the sixth wicket to lift West Indies from a precarious 88-5.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Nayeem Hasan took two wickets each while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan claimed one wicket apiece, underscoring the dominance of slow bowlers.
Shakib dismissed Shai Hope (one) and Kraigg Brathwaite (13) at the start of his spell before Taijul Islam removed Kieran Powell for 14.
Roston Chase and Sunil Ambris tried to rebuild the innings but teenager Nayeem soon struck, removing both batsmen in successive overs.
Chase gave a catch at short leg after making 31 runs while Ambris, who was dropped twice on nought and four, was trapped leg–before for 19.
Hetmyer appeared calm amidst the spin onslaught, hitting Taijul for two sixes off successive deliveries before completing his fifty off 42 balls.
But Mehidy ended his innings when he induced an edge which was caught by Mushfiqur.
Dowrich was batting on 35 alongside Devendro Bishoo (two not out) at the break.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh were bowled out for 324 in their first innings after resuming on their overnight score of 315-8.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took the remaining two Bangladeshi wickets as the hosts added just nine runs to their overnight score.
Warrican dismissed overnight batsman Nayeem Hasan for 26 and trapped Mustafizur leg-before three balls later to bowl out the Tigers inside the first five overs of the morning.
Taijul remained unbeaten on 39 as Warrican finished with 4-62, his best bowling figures in Test cricket.
Bangladesh owed their first-innings score to Mominul Haque, who struck 120 off 167 balls while Imrul Kayes and Shakib made 44 and 34 respectively.
