Gros Islet (St Lucia), June 26: Kyle Mayers slammed an unbeaten 126 on Day 2 of the second Test against Bangladesh as West Indies took firm control of the match, taking a 106-run first-innings lead against the tourists at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Replying to Bangladesh’s 234, West Indies were well-placed on 340/5 at stumps on the second day with Mayers scoring his second Test century with 15 boundaries and two maximums.
Things looked somewhat grim for West Indies when they lost three quick wickets just prior to lunch on Day 2 to fall to 132/4, Kyle Mayers took over with a splendid knock to give the hosts a handsome lead.
The left-hander was particularly punishing on anything loose that he could hammer through the point and cover region and this helped him finish the day unbeaten on 126.
While Mayers’ 116-run partnership with Jermaine Blackwood (40) did the majority of the damage, it was the unbeaten 92-run stand with Joshua Da Silva (26 not out) late in the day that really took any glimmer of hope away from Bangladesh.
With star spinner Shakib Al Hasan going wicketless through 18 overs, it was left to fellow tweaker Mehidy Hasan Miraz to do the majority of the damage for the visitors.
Mehidy picked up the key wicket of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite (51) early in his spell and then returned later in the day to trap Blackwood plumb in front in what was another excellent piece of off-spin bowling.
While those two scalps were the only wickets Mehidy could get on what was a frustrating day for Bangladesh, the 24-year-old can at least hold his head high in the knowledge that West Indies’ batting line-up failed to pick him at times and found scoring difficult when he had the ball. (IANS)
