Mayers heroics will 'warm the hearts of every West Indian'

Mayers’ extraordinary 210* saw him become only the sixth player to score a double hundred on Test debut. But the context of the innings makes the knock arguably the greatest ever by a debutant, as he steered West Indies to 395/7 and a famous win.

The chase was the fifth-highest in Test history and the highest ever in Asia, and, speaking after his historic knock, Mayers said he hopes his innings will inspire young players back in the Caribbean.

"I am always a positive person,” the 28-year-old said. “I always believe in my abilities and the team. We never gave up. We always said in the dressing room that we need to keep fighting. The captain and coach told the bowlers as well that you need to keep fighting on a pitch like this. Shannon [Gabriel] put in great effort to lead the way."

"It's a great feeling to be playing Test cricket. Then to go on and score a century, and then to make it a double, and then going on to win this Test. I would like to be thankful to my team-mates, my coaches, and my family back home. A guy making his debut and making a double should inspire all youngsters to work hard and reach this level."

The West Indies arrived for the series without a number of their leading Test players. However, victory in Chattogram means they will at least draw the two-match series, and captain Kraigg Brathwaite told reporters that he always had confidence that his team would do themselves justice.

"I have believed in this team from day one,” Brathwaite said. “It's just about believing in ourselves and backing our plans, and that's what we have done until day five.

“We lost some momentum with three wickets in the evening yesterday, but the pitch was playing well. We knew it was an open game. We trusted our plans, and (Nkrumah) Bonner and Mayers showed that they can stick to the plans, and make it work."

The win was the first in five Tests for West Indies, following series defeats to England and New Zealand. And legendary Trinidadian bowler Ian Bishop says this result is huge for Caribbean cricket.

"This is a win to warm the hearts of every West Indian, wherever you are in the world," he said.

"New heroes have emerged from the ashes of a team decimated by absenteeism. And standing on the throne is Kyle Mayers… a double hundred, leading this inexperienced team to a victory. Hats off to him and to all of them."

Bangladesh had out-played their visitors for four days prior to Mayers’ heroics, with captain Mominul Haque scoring his tenth Test century (a national record). But the skipper took the loss in good grace, heaping praise on West Indies pair Bonner and Mayers.

"All credit goes to Bonner and Mayers who batted really well. On the last day, if the wicket was a bit more helpful for spinners, we could have created more chances, but we didn't grab those chances," Haque said.

"We lost, but we have got some positives. We played the first innings as a team, and we dominated the first four days.”

The teams will meet again in Dhaka for the start of the second Test on 11 February.