Mayers century leaves Bangladesh in trouble

Dhaka, 26 June -Kyle Mayers struck his second century as West Indies kept them aloft over Bangladesh on day two of the second and final Test at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Saturday.

At stumps, West Indies reached 340-5, stretching their lead to 106 as
Bangladesh were bowled out for 234 in its first innings.

Mayers who became the first batter in the history to hit a double century in the fourth innings of a Test on debut, which came against Bangladesh in February last year, was batting on 126 with Joshua Da Silva on 26.

Thanks to Mayers historical feat, West Indies beat Bangladesh by three wickets, chasing 395-run target in that Test last year. Thereafter he appeared to be in hibernation as runs dried up.

But once again when he got Bangladesh as his opponent, Mayers brought up his best and that too at a moment when West Indies were struggling at 132-4.

With West Indies still behind 102 runs to level Bangladesh's first innings total, the visitors sensed a chance to earn a lead.

But Mayers put a shed on Bangladesh's expectation and propelled the side in a position from where a West Indies victory looked a matter of time.

Resuming the day on 67-0, West Indies openers quickly brought up 100-run partnership and stage set for them to grind Bangladesh.

However Bangladesh came back in style, taking four wickets before lunch with pacer Syed Khaled leading the charge.

But the breakthrough came through left arm pacer Shoriful Islam who removed John Campbell for 45.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite brought up his half-century but soon after Mehidy Hasan Miraz rattled his stump with a straight delivery to get rid of him for 51.

Khaled then appeared in the stage with fire and struck twice in the same over, dismissing Raymon Reifer for 22 and Nkrumah Bonner for duck.

Mayers counterattacked in impeccable style and put Bangladesh in sword. He and Jermaine Blackwood added 116-run for the fifth wicket to help the side earn the lead.

Blackwood was patient when Mayers charged Bangladesh bowlers in aggressive manner. But Mehidy Miraz brought an end to the Blackwood's calm knock of 40 before Mayers and da Silva restored West Indies' dominance again.

Mayers clobbered 15 fours and two sixes for his 126 off 180 while da Silva faced off 106 balls so far for his 26.

Khaled and Miraz claimed two wickets for Bangladesh, conceding 77 and 68 runs respectively while Shoriful took one for 67.