Bangladesh paceman Al-Amin Hossain advised the batsmen to learn from West Indies about how they should play in the wicket in St Lucia during the ongoing second Test.
The wicket at the Beausejour stadium appeared tricky for the batsmen, providing sharp bounce and sideways movement that can always be difficult to handle.However, the West Indies batsmen made it look easy to collect 246-3 on the opening day, setting themselves up for yet another massive total.
Bangladesh had the best chance to make them toil when Mushfiqur Rahim won a crucial toss and opted to bowl, but his three pacers bowled too wide initially to allow the West Indies openers to buy their time.
Opening pair Kraigg Brathwaite and Leon Johnson put on 143 runs in their partnership, despite scoring just 35 runs in the first one hour when no boundary came from the bat.
Brathwaite was the most cautious between the two openers, taking at least 40 balls to reach the double figure. He was unbeaten on 20 at lunch but not before consuming 81 balls.
‘We have only ourselves to blame,’ lamented Al-Amin, the paceman who mostly troubled the West Indians. ‘If we could land the ball in good areas, maybe they would not be able to forge such a big partnership.
Al Amin believed that the Bangladesh batsmen had something learn from it.
‘In this kind of wicket everybody will try to attack first. Maybe three or four balls will come in good areas, but if the batsmen can leave them out well that will affect the confidence of the bowlers,’ said Al-Amin.
‘[So] our batsmen have to be vigilant first. If they can do this, I am sure they will also get success.’
Al-Amin, who conceded just 15 runs in his first 10 overs, added that the bowlers will always relish their chance of getting wicket in this kind of wicket.
‘No doubt it’s a good wicket for the bowlers. Good wicket means if you can hit the seam in proper area, you will always get some help,’ he said. ‘There is some grass in the wicket, which keeps the ball in good shape. The shine of the ball never goes out. Any bowler will enjoy bowling in this kind of wicket.’
Though Al Amin impressed most among the three Bangladeshi quick bowlers, Shafiul Islam had the most success, taking a wicket and missing out on a few more for fielding lapses.
Al-Amin, the only pacer to be considered now for all three formats, said the return of Shafiul to the side after almost three years, reduced some pressure on him.
‘It will be nice if me, Shafiul and Robiul [Islam] all can take a few wickets. That will surely reduce some burden,’ he said.
-With New Age input
