ZCZC
BSP-23
CRICKET-BRATHWAITE-PARTNERSHIP
Brathwaite looking forward to build big partnership
CHATTOGRAM, Feb 4, 2021 (BSS) – West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite is looking forward to build some big partnerships in a bid to keep them aloft over Bangladesh in the opening Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here.
West Indies is still trailing by 355 runs after ending the day two on 75-2. Bangladesh put up a respectable 430 in their first innings, thanks to the maiden Test century of Mehidy Hasan Miraz who scored 103 off 168 with 13 boundaries.
At stumps, Brathwaite was batting on 49 with debutant Nkrumah Bonner on 17 after sharing 51 runs in an unbroken third wicket partnership.
“Enjoyed it thus far (batting). Still have a long way to go. So looking forward to the challenge tomorrow. We have to continue batting well, keeping backing ourselves and our plans,” Brathwaite said after the day’s play.
“I think it is still a good batting pitch, so tomorrow is a very important day for us. We really have to build some partnerships to get runs on the board. We have to get as close to their score as possible, or even go passed it. And then obviously from there, second innings would be crucial,” he added. West Indies bowlers were generous in leaking runs on day two, in sharp contrast to the first day, when their spinners bowled tight spell to keep Bangladesh check.
Brathwaite, however, credited Bangladesh batsman for batting well.
“We started with spin and pace this morning. We wanted to be a little aggressive this morning. Obviously the guys played well, showing a lot of discipline. There’s not much turn in the pitch. I think once we build dots, it created pressure to get wickets. We were tight throughout the innings. We didn’t go over three runs (an over), which was good. I thought Bangladesh batted well,” he remarked.
But he is confident to negotiate spinners well unlike the last tour when Bangladesh spinners demolished them.
“I thought the guys bowled some good balls. One or two still got spin out of the rough so we know it won’t be easy. We have to get back out there on the new day, and work hard,” he said.
BSS/SMP/MMA/1900HRS