/ 29 October 2011

Twin half-centuries take Windies to 160-2 at tea

Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite hit maiden half-centuries to help the West Indies reach 160-2 at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.

Left-handed Powell made a patient 72 and teenager Brathwaite a solid 50 as the West Indies batted steadily in the first two sessions after winning the toss in Dhaka.

Kirk Edwards was unbeaten on 31 at the break with Darren Bravo (two).

Powell, playing only his second Test, put on 100 runs for the opening wicket with Brathwaite and 55 for the second wicket with Edwards before being bowled by debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Powell cracked 10 fours in his 150-ball knock.

Brathwaite, who turns 19 in December, fell soon after completing his first half-century in three Tests, caught by Imrul Kayes at gully while trying to steer seamer Rubel Hossain in the fourth over after lunch.

Both West Indies openers played some attractive shots in the morning session, with Powell hitting paceman Shahadat Hossain for two successive fours early in his knock.

Bangladesh pressed key spinner Shakib Al Hasan into the attack after only five overs, but had to wait for more than a session to break the opening-wicket stand on a good batting pitch.

Left-arm spinner Shakib has so far conceded just 27 runs in 20 tight overs.

The tourists made two changes from the side that drew the opening Test in Chittagong, bringing in Powell and fast bowler Kemar Roach in place of injured Lendl Simmons and Ravi Rampaul.

Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Elias Sunny, who took seven wickets on debut in Chittagong, was ruled out of the match due to an upset stomach. He was replaced with Shuvo. — Sapa-AFP