NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Andre Russell continued his impressive rise with an electrifying hundred that was the driving force behind a West Indies-A revival in their first “Test” against Bangladesh-A yesterday.
Russell continued his love affair with the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, leading the way with a typically stroke-filled, career-best 128 that propelled Windies-A to 352 for eight in their first innings at the close on the opening day.
Sadly, compatriot Danza Hyatt missed out on a hundred, scoring 92, fellow all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite was dismissed in the final over of the day for 62, and Nkrumah Bonner made 43 to lead strong batting from the home team.
Russell reached his second first-class hundred from 110 balls with his 13th boundary before he became the third of four wickets for 49 runs from 16.2 overs, making Kamrul Islam Rabbi the most successful of the Bangladesh bowlers.
Russell struck 18 fours and four sixes from 140 balls in just over three hours of batting, putting on 59 for the sixth wicket with Hyatt and 155 for the seventh wicket with Brathwaite, after West Indies-A wobbled to 131 for five.
Windies-A endured a shaky start, when Kyle Corbin fell to Kamrul in the second over for a duck and the Bangladesh medium-fast bowler removed fellow opener Rajendra Chandrika for nine in the fifth over, leaving the hosts 11 for two.
Hyatt then took control, reaching his 50 just prior to lunch from 66 balls. He and compatriot Bonner consolidated for West Indies-A, taking them to 100 for two at the interval.
After lunch, the two continued merrily, adding 115 for the third wicket before Bonner gave a return catch to left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo in the first half-hour.
This precipitated another unsteady period for Windies-A with Jonathan Carter going for a duck to Suhrawadi and Devon Thomas for two to Robiul Islam.
Russell strode to the crease with memories of his unbeaten 92 against India earlier this year at the ground in a One-day International probably resonating in his mind – and did what he does best.
Russell climbed into the Bangladeshi batting with typical aplomb, but there was a bump along the road, when Hyatt was run out with his hundred in reach, after hitting 11 fours and two sixes from 157 balls in 3 ¾ hours.
The home team reached 203 for six at tea with Russell within touching distance of his 50. He duly reached the landmark after the break from 60 balls and continued to maraud the Bangladesh bowling all the way to his hundred.
Brathwaite, a tall, rugged all-rounder of with similar methods to Russell, strapped in and enjoyed the ride, coasting to his 50 from 67 balls.
They both fell to Kamrul in the last half-hour however, with Brathwaite lbw in the final over of the day.
The series between the two sides feature two “Tests”, as well as two Twenty20 and three One-day matches.
