Overview: Contest between two fast-paced attacks
The pace of bowling was also Bangladesh’s only positive in the first Test. And it may well be the only thing they can count on in the second test.
One thing both teams need to improve is their receiving. There were many missed catches throughout the game. Mominul lost two in a short span before West Indies lost four during Shamar’s first period on the fourth day. It was a stain on an otherwise good game.
forms guide
West Indies WLDLL (last five tests completed, most recent first)
Bangladesh LLLLL
Both the West Indies and Bangladesh are out of the race for a place in the World Test Championship final.
In the spotlight: Justin Greaves and Jaker Ali
took Justin Greaves Ten years to become a Test cricketer since his first-class debut, but after the debut series in Australia earlier this year, he was dropped. It then took him another ten months to return to the Test side, but this time he made it worth it. He showed restraint and initiative, especially when batting with Roach at the end of the script. The West Indies will be hoping for a similar performance from Greaves’ bat in Jamaica.
Jaker Ali He showed character under pressure, unlike most of his peers. Jaker now has a fifty in his first two Tests, which is rare for a Bangladesh batsman. He is a fighter and constantly encourages his batting partners, especially the lower order batsmen. Jaker himself is slowly opening up as a batsman and can expect a bit more responsibility in the Bangladesh batting line-up in Jamaica.
Team News: Expect changes in Bangladesh XI
West Indies are unlikely to change their playing XI, barring injuries.
West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Kemar Roach, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Shamar José
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy/Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan/Mahidul Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Shahadat Hossain, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Hasan Mahmud , 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Shoriful Islam/Nahid Rana
Field and conditions
Sabina Park has scored big in T20Is this year, but has also traditionally been a good pitch for both fast bowlers and spinners in Tests. The weather, however, could play a role as rain is forecast for all five days in Kingston.
Stats and trivia: Brathwaite ready to overtake Sobers
- Kraigg Brathwaite is currently tied with Garfield Sobers on 85 Tests, the most consecutive appearances for the West Indies. The Sobers played non-stop from 1955 to 1972, while Brathwaite has been a West Indies constant since 2014.
- Bangladesh have so far played 18 Tests without drawing even one. Their previous record is 21, between 2001 and 2004.
- At North Sound, Mominul made his first West Indies half-century since 2014. He totaled just 20 runs in three matches in the two Test series there in 2018 and 2022.
- The last time the West Indies played a Test match in Jamaica, in 2021, Phil Simmons was their head coach. He is now the head coach of Bangladesh.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo correspondent in Bangladesh. @isam84