ZCZC
BSP-25
CRICKET-CORNWALL-LAST-DAY
Tomorrow’s first hour will be decisive in determining Test’s result: Cornwall
CHATTOGRAM, Feb 6, 2021 (BSS) – West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem
Cornwall believes the first hour of the fifth day will be decisive in
determining the result of the first Test against Bangladesh.
West Indies still needs 285 runs with seven wickets at hands to win
the first Test as Bangladesh set them a target of 395, after declaring
the second innings on 223-8.
The Caribbean side was bowled out for 259 in their first innings, in
reply of Bangladesh’s 430 and thereby conceded a huge 171-run lead.
Cornwall though ponders the fifth day pitch will be difficult to
bat, he still believes if they can survive the first hour, they will
get a ray of hope to salvage a draw or win the game.
“I don’t think it would be an easy wicket to bat on the fifth day,”
Cornwall said here today.
“We have two set guys at the crease. They just have to start over
tomorrow. The first hour is going to be crucial, and we can take it
from there. Once we get past the first hour, we take it session by
session, and see how far we can go.”
Cornwall however heaped praise on Bangladeshi bowlers, stating that
they made the task difficult for them by bowling in right length and
in right areas.
“I think all of them bowled well. There’s no particular one that
stand out really. These guys are tested bowlers and put the ball in
the right areas. We just have to stand up to the challenge and make
sure we bat to the best of our ability,” he remarked.
Cornwall trembled Bangladesh early in the innings, taking out two
wickets in one over, leaving the hosts one for two. However Bangladesh
skipper Mominul Haque dealt with him astutely to give the side
control, with his 10th century and set an improbable target for the
West Indies.
The West Indies off-spinner believes they will get an idea to
neutralize Mominul effect in the second Test in Dhaka.
“I really think everyone gets in on this pitch. I think Mominul
scored a good hundred. He plays well. We still have a next Test match
to go so we just have to come up with plans to find out ways to get
him out,” he said.
“I just have to take it as it goes. I am learning quickly enough so
that I can adjust to and add things to my game, and see how successful
I can be,” Cornwall said of himself.
BSS/SMP/MRU/1939hrs