SYLHET, Bangladesh (AP) — Kavem Hodge struck 140 not out as West Indies established control in the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Sunday in its quest to sweep the series.
Complemented by half-centuries from Kevin Wickham (78) and opener Brandon King (61), Hodge steered West Indies to 345-3, extending the lead to 315 runs at stumps on the fourth day.
Bangladesh bowlers rarely troubled the West Indies’ batters after the visitors resumed at 7 for no loss.
“It’s a pretty good wicket, so tomorrow we’ll assess and see what’s the best score, what’s the best total, and what’s the best tempo on this wicket,” Hodge said. “But as of now, we’re just trying to keep piling on the lead.”
King and Joshua Da Silva added 85 runs for the opening stand, which was only broken when left-arm spinner Taijul Islam produced a gem to trap Da Silva leg-before for 36.
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King went on to score his sixth fifty and looked untroubled, but a rash shot against off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz cost him his wicket, leaving West Indies at 119-2.
Two wickets in quick succession from their spinners gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but Wickham and Hodge used their feet well to sweep the spin bowlers’ efforts with precision, gradually establishing full control of the game.
Wickham raised his second fifty in the game off 68 balls on his debut Test, cracking a boundary through extra cover.
Unlike the first innings when he was out for 61, Wickham appeared set for a hundred but was dismissed casually, chipping the ball straight to bowler Taijul on 78.
Taijul ended the day with 2-118.
Hodge kept attacking the bowlers and reached his third century from 142 balls, sweeping Taijul to square leg for a single.
Amir Jangoo, who hit a century in the first innings to help West Indies put up 356, was batting on 20 with Hodge when the game was called off for the day due to bad light.
Earlier, Towhid Hridoy struck an epic 242 not out to help Bangladesh compile 386 and a 30-run lead in the first innings.
“The start will be very important,” Hridoy said. “If we can start well, I think a target of 350 is achievable. But first, we have to see how many runs they score and then plan accordingly.”
Recalling his double century, Hridoy added: “I didn’t think about whom I was surpassing or what I might achieve. I just tried to fight as much as possible to take the team to a good position.
“I was set, having a good day and feeling good with the bat, so I tried to contribute as much as I could for the team.”