GROS ISLET: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and chosen to field first against the West Indies in the second and final Test at the Beausejour Stadium here on Saturday.

Playing the 500th Test in their history since the first match against England in 1928, the West Indies have been forced to make one change from the team that won the first Test in St Vincent by 10 wickets.

Veteran opener Chris Gayle is ruled out for what has been described as “personal reasons”, allowing Guyanese batsman Leon Johnson to make his debut as the Caribbean side’s 300th Test cricketer.

Bangladesh have made three changes, one enforced by a skin infection to Imrul Kayes that gives Anamul Haque an opportunity at the top of the batting order.

On a pitch expected to offer more assistance to the faster bowlers than at Arnos Vale, the tourists have drafted in seamers Shafiul Islam and Robiul Islam at the expense of off-spinning all-rounder Shuvagata Hom and medium-pacer Rubel Hossain.

Despite a finger injury sustained while scoring a second innings century in the first Test, Mushfiqur will again take the field as wicket-keeper.

Teams:

WEST INDIES: Kraigg Brathwaite, Leon Johnson, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin (captain), Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel.

BANGLADESH: Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Nasir Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Robiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain.

Published in Dawn, September 14th , 2014