Samuels strengthens Windies' hand

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Marlon Samuels hit his fifth Test century as West Indies made a sturdy response on day two of the second Test against Bangladesh in Khulna.

After losing the momentum on the opening day thanks to a stunning hundred from Tigers debutant tailender Abul Hasan, the tourists wrapped up the first innings for 387 and then posted 241 for two in reply.

Samuels’ 109 not out from 231 deliveries was the centrepiece, with Darren Bravo finishing unbeaten on 85 having shared in a 198-run third-wicket stand.

Bangladesh added 22 runs to their overnight 365 for eight, with Hasan showing no noticeable signs of a reported fractured finger.

Marlon Samuels holds firm for West Indies on day two of the second Test with Bangladesh. At stumps, the Jamaican was unbeaten on 109

Mahmudullah was dismissed for 76 by Darren Sammy before Hasan handed Fidel Edwards his sixth success of the innings to go for a memorable 113.

The Windies’ innings started rapidly, Rubel Hossain making the first breakthrough when Kieran Powell - who struck two centuries in the series opener - pulled a short ball straight to Shakib Al Hasan at deep square-leg.

Dangerman Chris Gayle followed for 25 soon after, caught behind down the leg side off Sohag Gazi as the tourists moved to 62 for two at lunch.

Yet Bravo and Samuels proved tougher to remove than the opening pair.

Samuels got things moving in the afternoon with a four and a six off successive Shakib deliveries and hit his third and fourth boundaries off Rubel 10 overs later.

That saw him to his half-century from 107 balls and by tea he had 62 to his name.

Bravo was in less of a hurry at the other end and had hit just two fours by the end of the afternoon.

The pair duly stayed together for a second full session to strengthen their side’s position.

Bravo’s half-century came in 133 deliveries with a swept boundary off Mahmudullah but there were few fireworks as the Windies pair dug in diligently to work ones and twos for most of the evening’s play.

Boundaries were relatively few and far between but Samuels flashed the 11th of his innings through cover to reach three figures from the last ball of the 80th over.

Just two more were bowled, with Samuels striking the penultimate ball of the day for four more.