Grassy wicket to aid Windies pacers in second Test

KINGSTON: If the pitch at Sabina Park is anything to go by, Bangladesh’s batsmen are in for another tough test from the West Indies fast bowlers when the second Test bowls off here on November 30.

During a pre-match interview on November 29, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite indicated that the pitch contained some grass, which he believed would provide assistance to the pacers.

In the opening Test in Antigua, the Windies fast bowling quartet of Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph took all 18 wickets to fall in the match.

“Obviously it’s a completely different ground. The surface has a bit of grass which is good to see, obviously a lot of moisture around, a lot of rain, so we have to start fresh this game,” Brathwaite said.

“It’s good to see the covering of the grass on the surface, but at the end of the day that’s just the surface. We still have to go out there and bowl well, obviously take the catches and bat well and put runs on the board, so we’re looking forward to doing that.”

The home side holds a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and a win or draw would secure their first Test series victory for the year, following tough losses to England and South Africa.

Brathwaite said it was important that the West Indies close out the series with a win to carry that momentum into 2025 where they will play several Test series.

“It’s very important. You can’t ever take any Test series for granted and it’s very important that we end this year strong.

“Obviously next year we have a lot of Test cricket to play as well, so it’s very crucial for us,” Brathwaite insisted.

“The first Test is gone, that’s history, so we have to come and start right back over as a bowling unit and a batting unit, but we are looking forward to it.”

The Test match will be a historic one for Brathwaite, as he will become the first West Indian to play in 86 consecutive Test matches.

In acknowledging the achievement, the captain said he hoped he would be a player that young cricketers would want to emulate.

“I’m very, very honoured and privileged to be here and very thankful. It’s an opportunity that I’ve had for over ten years and I’m very thankful for it,” Brathwaite said.

“To be the most is good. I just want to be an example for guys to follow and I’m really excited about it.” CMC