Roach takes 5-8 as Bangladesh shot out for 43

NORTH SOUND: West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach returned astounding figures of five for eight as Bangladesh were shot out for only 43 in their first innings before lunch on the opening day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Wednesday.

Fast-medium bowler Miguel Cummins took 3-11 as Bangladesh’s innings lasted just 18.4 overs after West Indies captain Jason Holder opted to bowl first upon winning the toss. Opener Liton Das was the only batsman to reach double figures and his 25 was more than half his side’s total.

Fresh from a drawn three-match duel with Sri Lanka characterised by fast bowler-friendly pitches, the rare sight of a greenish surface at a venue which traditionally has been a batsman’s paradise would have influenced Holder’s decision to bat first and also retain the same bowling line-up, including himself, which features four faster bowlers and the lone specialist spinner in Devendra Bishoo.

New Zealand made the lowest total in Test history when they were bowled out for 26 by England in Auckland in 1955.

West Indies selectors have also resisted the temptation to omit opening batsman Devon Smith, who struggled in the Sri Lanka series following a recall to international cricket after three years.

In the absence of injured seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out of the tour, 24-year-old Abu Jayed makes his Test debut in a Bangladesh line-up that features five players, including captain Shakib al Hasan, who were members of the triumphant Bangladesh squad which dominated the depleted hosts on their tour of the Caribbean in 2009.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings):

Tamim Iqbal c Dowrich b Roach 4

Liton Das c Chase b Cummins 25

Mominul Haque c Hope b Roach 1

Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Roach 0

Shakib Al Hasan c Holder b Roach 0

Mahmudullah c Dowrich b Roach 0

Nurul Hasan c Holder b Cummins 4

Mehedi Hasan c Smith b Cummins 1

Kamrul Islam c Dowrich b Holder 0

Rubel Hossain not out 6