Hamstrung Bangladesh find second string WI tough

Updated on: 12 July,2009 09:14 AM IST |
AFP |

Bangladesh had limited success, as opener Omar Phillips hit a half-century to anchor West Indies to 136 for two in their first innings at lunch in their opening Test on Saturday

Bangladesh had limited success, as opener Omar Phillips hit a half-century to anchor West Indies to 136 for two in their first innings at lunch in their opening Test on Saturday.

At the interval, left-hander Phillips was unbeaten on 71 and fellow Test newcomer Travis Dowlin was not out on 22, as West Indies continued their reply to Bangladesh's first innings total of 238 on the second day of the Test at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

Bangladesh were hunting early wickets to put the depleted West Indies batting under pressure, when they continued from their overnight total of 17 for one.

But the Tigers were held up, when Phillips and night watchman Ryan Austin added valuable 79 runs for the second wicket.

Bangladesh were hamstrung, when Mashrafe Mortaza fell over following the third delivery of his seventh over, and injured his right knee. The visitors' captain and primary fast bowler left the field, and he was taken to hospital for precautionary medical exams.

The rest of the Bangladesh bowlers tried to make headway, but Phillips, who started on nought and took 14 nervous balls to get off the mark, reached his 50 from 92 balls, when he square drove Rubel Hossain for a single.