Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze both fell agonizingly short of centuries but their brilliant 140-run partnership helped West Indies to a solid 250 for 5 on the first day of the Test series against Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Bangladesh, after opting to bowl first, could not make significant inroads early, despite testing the West Indies’ top order with disciplined fast bowling. The visitors’ bowlers made steady progress, but it was Louis and Athanaze’s partnership that turned the tide in West Indies’ favor.
Louis, who was particularly fluent with the bat, looked set to score his maiden Test century but was dismissed for 97 after spending 27 balls in the nineties. His patient 218-ball innings featured four boundaries through the cover and was marked by composure, despite Bangladesh’s best efforts to challenge his defense. He was eventually undone by stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, caught at slip after charging down the pitch.
Athanaze, who had been equally resolute, also fell in the nineties, departing for 90 just a few overs later. His innings was punctuated by several aggressive strokes, including a sweep for four against Mehidy and a reverse sweep that showed his intent. Athanaze’s dismissal was another blow for West Indies, as he was caught behind off Taijul Islam, marking the second time in his brief Test career that he had fallen in the nineties.
Despite the early setbacks, West Indies’ day was shaped by the resolve of Louis and Athanaze, who weathered the storm of Bangladesh’s seam attack and then took control against the spinners. Their partnership came after a rocky start, when Bangladesh’s fast bowlers – Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud – troubled the West Indies openers.
Taskin struck early, removing Kraigg Brathwaite for just 4 runs with an inward movement that trapped the opener lbw. He then had Keacy Carty caught at mid-on for a duck, leaving West Indies struggling at 47 for 3. But Louis and Kavem Hodge steadied the ship with a crucial rebuilding phase, adding 42 runs before Hodge was run out for 25 just before the lunch break.
The second session saw the Bangladesh spinners, Mehidy and Taijul, apply pressure, but Louis and Athanaze remained patient. The pair made slow but steady progress, with Louis reaching his fifty before Hodge’s unfortunate run-out.
After tea, Athanaze led the charge to increase the scoring rate, striking two boundaries in the opening over of the final session. Louis responded with a lofted six off Mehidy, but the breakthrough finally came when Mehidy removed him, trapping him at slip. In quick succession, Taijul dismissed Athanaze, leaving West Indies at 250 for 5 when play was halted due to light drizzle and fading visibility.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, though disciplined, will likely feel they missed opportunities in the middle of the day when they failed to break the Louis-Athanaze partnership. Taskin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 46, while Mehidy and Taijul claimed one wicket each, but overall, Bangladesh will be hoping for more success on day two to break West Indies’ growing momentum.
With two wickets in hand and a solid foundation laid, West Indies will aim to push on in the first innings when play resumes tomorrow. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to find breakthroughs quickly to get back into the contest.
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