West Indies have returned to Test cricket after three months. After their win against England in their recent ODI series, the team is hosting Bangladesh (WI vs. BAN) for the longest form of cricket. While West Indies have dominated in the 1st Test, Bangladesh might have a comeback in the 2nd Test.
Kieron Powell Loses his stump!
The second Test will be held at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, between November 30 and December 4, 2024. The first Test of this two-series match was already played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Test Preview: WI vs BAN 1st Test
The first Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua, ended with a dominant 201-run victory for the host, West Indies. This was a significant turnaround for the WI team, as they broke a two-year drought of home Test wins.
In the first innings, the West Indies posted a massive 450/9 declared. Justin Greaves’ unbeaten 115, Mikyle Louis’ 97, and Alick Athanaze’s 90 runs were the major contributors to this large score, which put Bangladesh under early pressure.
Bangladesh started well but could score 269/9, trailing significantly.
In the second innings, WI scores collapsed at 152 all out, triggered by an exceptional spell from Taskin Ahmed, who took 6 wickets. This gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope. But Bangladesh faltered against the relentless West Indies pace attack, and the chase of 334 runs for victory remained a dream, with the entire team being bowled out for 132.
This win propels the West Indies to a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and boosts their morale as they aim for a series sweep in the second Test.
Key Highlights of the Match
Pitch Report
Sabina Park is traditionally known to be a pace-friendly surface. Due to bounce and seam movement, the pitch is expected to assist fast bowlers early on. However, as the match progresses, the surface could favor batters. For the WI vs BAN pitch report, the pitch is said to have a slowish track.
This venue, historically a pace bowler’s delight, now offers more balanced conditions that work for both the bowlers and batsman at different stages. It assists seamers early in the match and becomes better for batting as the game progresses.
Weather
Rain has been predicted for the entire upcoming week. There will be mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms, with chances of rain in the afternoon.
| Temperature | 32 C (High)- 25 (Low) |
| Humidity | 76% |
| Wind | East at 5-10 mph |
This could heavily influence play, with overcast conditions offering additional assistance to the fast bowlers.
Team Overview
West Indies
Led by Kraigg Brathwaite, the hosts are keen to improve their record in the current World Test Championship, where they rank last. The absence of seasoned all-rounder Jason Holder is a significant blow, but the return of young talents like Justin Greaves and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair adds depth.
In the 1st test, Justin Greaves made 115 runs and became the player of the match. With his recent wicket-taking form, Jayden Seales remains a key threat for the Bangladesh batters. He took 5 wickets in the first test. Kemar Roach, another talented, quick bowler on the team, is another potential threat.
Bangladesh
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side aims to bounce back after a challenging home series against South Africa. With Mushfiqur Rahim out due to injury, the team now relies on experienced players like Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam to take the lead. Although Bangladesh’s record against the West Indies is weak, their recent inclusion of Taskin Ahmed brings fresh potential to change the game.
Head to Head in Test
West Indies and Bangladesh have played 20 test matches over the years. Out of which, West Indies won 14 matches, and 2 were drawn.
Key Players to Watch Out
West Indies
| Batsman | Allick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Mikyle Louis |
| Bowler | Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph |
Bangladesh
| Batsman | Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, Jaker Ali |
| Bowler | Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed |
Suggestions for your Dream 11 Prediction Team
For Head-to-Head Matches
- Captain: Allick Athanaze
- Vice Captain: Mahidul Islam Ankon
- Wicketkeeper: Keacy Carty, Mahidul Islam Ankon
- Batters: Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis,
- Bowler: Taijul Islam, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican
- All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Kavem Hodge
For Grand Leagues Matches
- Captain: Taijul Islam
- Vice Captain: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Wicketkeeper: Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Ankon
- Batters: Shadman Islam, Allick Athanaze
- Bowlers: Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Taskin Ahmed
- All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque
Pro Tip: A 2-3-3-3 combination will be ideal for the game. You could also use our ‘Strategies to Win Big in Fantasy Cricket‘ guide to earn good points in your game.
Prediction
Considering the conditions and the team’s recent form, the West Indies are slight favorites at home. However, if its batters can build competitive totals, Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack could become a game-changer on a deteriorating pitch.
A 1-0 series win for the West Indies seems likely. The West Indies are more likely to win this series even if this match is drawn.
Reasons Behind the Prediction
- Home advantage: Sabina Park is known to favor pace bowlers, which suits the West Indies’s strength, given their arsenal of seamers like Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, and Alzarri Joseph.
- Head-to-Head Record: The West Indies dominate the historical head-to-head record in Tests against Bangladesh. They also won their last series 2-0 in the Caribbean in 2022.
- Key Players in Form: Bowlers like Jayden Seales have been impactful recently, and Kraigg Brathwaite provides stability at the top of the order.
Alternative Chances
Bangladesh usually struggles in away Tests. However, their spin-heavy bowling attack, with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan, could exploit the conditions if the pitch deteriorates.
Can West Indies take a major lead like it did in the first Test? Or will Bangladesh develop other strategies to slow down its run rate? For teams playing at Sabina Park, winning the toss and choosing to bat first has often been the preferred strategy. Let’s find out what happens!
