WI batter Jangoo refuses to abandon aggression

NORTH SOUND, Antigua:

Amir Jangoo says a commitment to playing to his strengths is helping shape a new culture within the West Indies set-up, and the left-hander believes that philosophy paid dividends as he crafted a maiden Test century against Bangladesh on day two of the second Test.

Jangoo struck a superb 133 to rescue the West Indies after the hosts slipped into trouble at 27 for three, steering the innings past the 350-run mark despite Bangladesh’s bowlers repeatedly threatening with the new ball.

Reflecting on his knock, the Trinidadian said he never considered abandoning the shots that have brought him success, even when approaching three figures.

“We’re trying to build a culture where even if you get out, get out of your strengths,” Jangoo said. “All of us have our roles in the team, so for me it was all about sticking to my strengths.

“If I do get out in that manner, so be it. But don’t let me go out of my comfort zone getting out in a certain way where I’m not comfortable playing.”

The innings was built on patience as much as aggression. Jangoo had to negotiate lively conditions early after Bangladesh’s seamers exploited assistance from the surface.

The left-hander revealed that batting was far more challenging than it appeared once the pitch settled.

“We were 20-something for three, so I think the ball was seaming about a bit,” he said. “For me, it was all about adjusting my technique a bit, watching the ball a bit later.”

However, conditions eased after weather interruptions, allowing Jangoo and the middle order to take control.

Despite his century, Jangoo admitted there was some disappointment in the Windies camp after failing to reach a target of 400 runs.

“We were kind of disappointed because our objective was to get over 400 runs,” he said. “But Bangladesh bowled beautifully.

“We knew the second new ball would have been a danger for us. Unfortunately, we couldn’t carry on today, but we’ll still be pleased with over 350 runs.”

Bangladesh’s bowlers were instrumental in preventing the home side from posting an even more imposing total, with Jangoo singling out pacer Hasan for praise following the dismissal that ended his innings.

“He bowled a consistent area,” Jangoo said. “The ball was either seaming away or seaming in. For me, I thought when the ball pitched on that length, it would have seamed away, so it’s poor judgement on my part. But credit to him.”

The century nevertheless provided the backbone of the West Indies innings and gave the hosts a platform from which to attack Bangladesh’s batting line-up.

Jangoo expects patience to be crucial for the home side’s bowlers going forward, as he believes the surface is becoming increasingly batter-friendly.

“I think the wicket is flattening out,” he said. “The fast bowlers bowled brilliantly on that wicket, but now it is pretty difficult once guys get in.

“For us it’s all about building pressure on that wicket. We can’t really go searching too much because guys will score quickly. We just have to stay patient and hopefully we can get the wickets.”

His 133 not only marked a personal milestone but also underlined the value of the aggressive, self-believing approach West Indies are seeking to establish as they look to secure a strong first-innings advantage over Bangladesh.