Warrican disappointed despite four-for

DHAKA, Bangladesh:

West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican admitted the visitors were left disappointed and searching for answers after surrendering a commanding position on day three of the second Test, as a magnificent double-century from Towhid Hridoy propelled Bangladesh to a 30-run first-innings lead.

“Obviously, we are disappointed. We were in the ascendancy and things were going our way, but Hridoy batted well,” Warrican said after play.

“We’ve got to reflect on things that we could have done better. As a unit, we’ve still got to keep our heads up, but there’s a job to be done. We’ve got to come and bat well tomorrow.”

After resuming on 88 for three in reply to West Indies’ first-innings total of 356, Bangladesh appeared vulnerable when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell for 18, leaving the hosts on 124 for four.

However, Hridoy produced one of the finest innings of his career, virtually carrying Bangladesh with a remarkable unbeaten 242 from the middle order. His marathon knock transformed the complexion of the contest and frustrated a West Indies attack that had begun the day firmly in control.

The right-hander received valuable support from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 34 in a fifth-wicket partnership that helped steady the innings, before Hridoy guided the tail through the latter stages. He remained unbeaten when the final wicket fell at 386, giving Bangladesh a 30-run advantage.

Warrican, who was the pick of the bowlers with four for 104 from 41 overs, said the West Indies camp would spend the evening assessing where things went wrong.

“As a team, we discuss what we could have done better. It’s best you go overnight, think, improve what you could reflect on or make better decisions,” he said.

“It’s something that we can’t pinpoint at the moment. As a team, we’re going to reflect tomorrow and discuss it. Even me as a player, I’ll go home tonight and reflect on things that I could have done better or what we could have done better as a team.”

The left-arm spinner dismissed Mushfiqur, Litton Das, Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam, while Jayden Seales claimed two wickets and Shamar Joseph, Justin Greaves and captain Roston Chase took one apiece.

Despite the disappointment of conceding the lead, Warrican reserved special praise for Hridoy’s innings, rejecting suggestions that Bangladesh’s approach had been unexpected or reckless.

“I just think he batted extremely well. I’ve got to give him his credit. He played a beautiful innings. He put Bangladesh in a good position,” Warrican said.

“It surprised everyone. We as a team were in the ascendancy and we were thinking about what lead we could have gotten or how big the lead could have been. But the way he batted was special and I’m going to give him credit.”

With just under an hour remaining in the day, West Indies safely negotiated four overs to reach seven without loss in their second innings. Brandon King was unbeaten on five and Joshua Da Silva on two at the close.

The visitors will resume on the fourth morning still 23 runs behind Bangladesh, albeit with all 10 wickets intact and the match finely poised.

After dominating long stretches of the contest with the ball, West Indies now face the crucial challenge of setting a substantial target, knowing the momentum has shifted following Hridoy’s marathon effort, which transformed a position of vulnerability into one of strength for the home side.