Positive mindset sparks WI batting masterclass

SYLHET, Bangladesh:

Propelled by a shift in mindset towards aggressive intent and shared squad belief, the West Indies (WI) produced a sublime batting display on Sunday to seize total command of the second and final Test against Bangladesh.

Resuming on their overnight total of seven without loss, the visitors wiped out a 30-run deficit through a brisk 85-run opening stand between Brandon King and Joshua Da Silva.

But at the heart of the West Indies’ commanding close-of-play total of 345 for three — representing an overall lead of 315 runs — was an unbeaten century from Kavem Hodge.

His brilliant 140 off 189 balls, decorated with 17 fours and a six, anchored the innings and extinguished any realistic hopes of a home victory.

Reflecting on the team’s prolific run-scoring form this year, Hodge emphasised that their success comes from buying into a proactive batting philosophy, rather than simply trying to survive at the crease.

“We realised that it’s a really good wicket,” Hodge said after play. “History showed that we’ve performed pretty well when we have some form of intent rather than just passing for survival. So I think that was the mindset rolling into this innings.”

EVIDENT FROM THE START

That mindset was very evident at the start of play. King moved into the 40s by cutting spinner Nayeem Hasan for four and then hitting him straight back over his head for six.

However, after batting confidently for his 36, Da Silva missed a straight delivery from left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and was adjudged lbw.

In the next over, King brought up a 62-ball half-century with a scorching cover drive off Mehidy Hasan Miraz that sped away to the boundary for four.

King was lucky to have been dropped at cover off Islam’s bowling when he was 56, but he did not take advantage of the opportunity as he only added five more runs before edging a delivery from Miraz into the safe hands at first slip on the cusp of lunch to leave the score 119 for two.

COLLECTIVE HUNGER

Those dismissals did nothing to slow the West Indies.

Records and partnerships

Hodge was ably supported by debutant Kevin Wickham, whose elegant knock of 78 formed the backbone of a stellar 165-run partnership.

In the process, Wickham, who scored 61 off 145 balls in the first innings, etched his name into the history books by becoming the first West Indian in 48 years to score dual half-centuries on debut, joining an elite group of eight players to achieve the feat.

Hodge commented on the collective hunger for big scores, saying it is further nurtured by the camaraderie within the squad, which has made the West Indies a tightly-knit unit.

He pointed out that despite hailing from different territories across the Caribbean, the players openly share tactical ideas, routines, and mental frameworks.

“You have guys who score hundreds regularly, and the other guys are going to feed off of that,” Hodge explained. “We have a lot of conversations, we share ideas and mindset, and we just feed off of each other’s routines. The belief is there.”

Even after Wickham fell, with a century looming, first-innings centurion Amir Jangoo joined Hodge at the crease, adding an unbroken 61-run stand to tighten the Windies’ grip.

Jangoo finished the day unbeaten on 20.

NEAR-IMPOSSIBLE TASK

With Bangladesh now facing a near-impossible task to save the match or level the series 1-1, Hodge stressed that the team remains grounded heading into the final day. He said that rather than looking too far ahead, the plan is to assess conditions session by session.

“To be honest, it’s very difficult to put a number on that wicket,” Hodge noted. “We just have to come tomorrow and assess, keep taking over, and I think we just have to play by ear and keep going moment by moment ... everybody has a fair share to do tomorrow.”