Windies hope to draw level in second ODI

OverviewBangladesh v Windies, 2nd ODI
Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Tuesday, 11 December, 01.00pm local, 07.00 GMT

After enduring a rather difficult Test tour, Windies would have hoped to change things around in limited overs cricket, but the first of three ODIs had nothing better in store for them. After being restricted to 195/9, their target was overhauled with almost 15 overs to spare.

The top-order batsmen – with the exception of Shai Hope who scored 43 from 59 deliveries – simply weren't able to get comfortable in the Dhaka conditions and perished one after another. Even Shimron Hetmyer, who enjoyed plenty of success on the preceding tour of India, suffered a failure and Windies weren't able to fully recover.

The positive for them is that Roston Chase and Keemo Paul got into their thirties, but if Windies are to reverse their fortunes, they will need the top-order to fire. The likes of Marlon Samuels and Kieran Powell have the ability and the experience behind them, but it is about time that they start bringing in the big scores.

As is to be expected of them in their conditions, the Bangladesh bowlers never let the pressure ease up. The spinners were relentlessly accurate, and the fast bowlers were just as good if not better – in fact, Mustafizur Rahman and Mashrafe Mortaza took three wickets apiece. Rubel Hossain was erratic though and that is the only thing Bangladesh will be a little concerned about.

The Windies bowlers were pretty good too, and encouragingly, didn't throw in the towel just because they had a low score to work with. They bowled enthusiastically and generally the energy on the field was good. But pacers Kemar Roach and Oshane Thomas will need to tidy up their areas, as loose deliveries gave Bangladesh the opportunity to release any built up pressure.

As for the batting, Bangladesh will be pleased that three of their batsmen got decent scores. Mushfiqur Rahim led the chase with a sublime unbeaten 55, whereas Liton Das scored 41 and Shakib Al Hasan a 26-ball 30. Tamim Iqbal looked a bit rusty on his return to international cricket after an injury layoff, but one can expect him to soon rediscover form, although Windies will want to keep him in check.

Players to watch
Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh): The Bangladesh skipper is having something of a purple patch with the ball, delivering in one way or another whenever he brings himself on. He frustrated the Windies batsmen with nagging accuracy and a bit of nip in the first game, and was key to creating an opening after Windies had steadied themselves to 65/1, taking the wickets of Darren Bravo and Shai Hope in quick succession. He may not have anywhere close to express pace, but that only makes him more difficult to get away.

Shimron Hetmyer (Windies): The 21-year-old was guilty of attempting too many big shots too soon in the first game and paid the price, but if he takes his time to read conditions and then crafts his innings, he could make the difference to the line-up. In his young career, he has shown on repeated instances what he can do if he lets himself get settled in. That is what he will hope to do in the second ODI.

Conditions

In terms of the pitch, there should be something in it for all. The surface was a bit uneven in the first game, and that should remain the case. Batsmen will want to spend time at the crease before attempting fancy shots. Skies are expected to stay clear.

Squads:

Bangladesh: Masrafe Mortaza (C), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (VC), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Mohammad Mithun, Saif Uddin, Abu Hider Rony, Ariful Hoque

Windies: Rovman Powell (C), Marlon Samuels, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Oshane Thomas