Roach joins elite club with 250th wicket; puts West Indies in control

Padma Bridge Friendship Test Series, presented by Walton

Day 3, 2nd Test – West Indies vs Bangladesh
Venue: Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium
Toss: West Indies won and bowled

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/211920/#scorecard

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia – Kemar Roach took his prized 250th Test wicket among the three he grabbed on Sunday afternoon. which has helped push West Indies closer to victory and a series sweep. Without a wicket in the first innings after entering the match on 249 wickets, the legendary fast bowler, handed himself an early birthday present by grabbing 3-32 as Bangladesh were left reeling on 132-6 at the close of a rain-affected third day. He now sits sixth on the all-time West Indies list on 252 wickets, seven behind Joel Garner.

Alzarri Joseph, who has been the fastest bowler on show this series, maintained his form with 2-31, which has left the visitors still requiring a further 42 runs in order to avoid another heavy defeat on Monday’s penultimate day. Roach snatched the first three wickets to fall in Bangladesh’s second innings, sending back Tamim Iqbal (4), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (10) and Anamul Haque (4) as Bangladesh slumped to 32-3 at tea – taken 20 minutes early due to rain.

CELEBRATE THE MILESTONE

Bangladesh were in early trouble when Tamim drove at a wide one from Roach and nicked off to Da Silva at 4-1 in the third over. That was the champagne moment for Roach as he raised the ball to the heavens and was surrounded by teammates to celebrate the limestone. Next up, Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged to Jermaine Blackwood at third slip and Anamul was plumb leg-before to a delivery which nipped back, as Roach had given West Indies the perfect start.

Jayden Seales trapped Litton Das lbw for 19 courtesy of DRS after the break before Najmul Hossain struck 42 in a 47-run, fifth wicket stand with captain Skakib-al-Hasan (16), to prop up the innings. Najmul had faced 91 balls and struck eight fours when he edged a drive to Da Silva off Joseph, who then had Shakib caught on the second attempt by John Campbell at second slip, off the first ball following the final drinks break.

Speaking after the day’s play, Roach was joyous as he celebrated the achievement.

Earlier in the day, left-hander Kyle Mayers struck 146 as West Indies, resuming the morning on 340-5, were dismissed for 408, about 45 minutes after lunch. He started the day on 126, and faced 208 balls in just over five hours and struck 18 fours and two sixes. This could prove to be a match-winning knock as it saved the West Indies from danger at 132-4 before lunch on the second day, and gave them a first innings lead of 174.

DAY 4: RAIN, RAIN STAY AWAY!

Roach and the other members of the West Indies bowling unit will be champing at the bit to wrap up the Bangladesh innings when play resumes on Monday, fourth day of the match. With the interruptions on Sunday, first ball on Monday morning is 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica Time). Fans can purchase tickets via the new WINDIES TICKETS service presented by Mastercard, at www.tickets.windiestickets.com. Fans can watch live on ESPN Caribbean and listen to live radio commentary on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.