Windies tighten grip as Hodge's ton leads charge in Sylhet
Kavem Hodge’s century and a solid debut effort from Kevin Wickham leave Bangladesh with a huge task on the final day.
West Indies strengthened their position in the second and final ICC World Test Championship Test against Bangladesh with an impressive batting display on Day 4 in Sylhet, taking their lead beyond 300 runs to leave the hosts facing a daunting challenge heading into the final day.
Having secured victory in the opening Test, the visitors are now within reach of a series sweep, with a full day remaining for Bangladesh to try and turn the contest around as the West Indies reached 345/3 at stumps on the fourth day and with an overall lead of 315.
Kavem Hodge is unbeaten for the West Indies on 140* and the right-handed batter believes confidence is growing within his side.
"I think a lot of the guys are growing together, cricket-wise," Hodge said.
"Although we are from different countries, but when we get together, we have a lot of conversations. We share ideas and mindset. We feed off of each other's routines, whatever it is that we do. The belief is also there.
"It's always nice to contribute to the team. I got a start in the first game in Dhaka, but obviously I didn't get the results that I would have loved," he said. "And it's always nice to contribute to the team. So it was really good to put on some runs for the team in a situation like that, where the game was evenly poised. So it was a good feeling, and hopefully we can continue it tomorrow.
"I think we realized that it's a really good wicket, and history has shown that we've performed pretty well when we have some form of intent rather than just batting for survival. So I think that was the mindset going into this innings, and thankfully it played out really well for the team's benefit."
Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy - who scored a brilliant unbeaten 242 in the first innings - believes his team is still well in the Test and capable of producing a winning run chase on the fifth and final day.
“Look, it will depend on how we start. The wicket is still good. If we can start well first, then I think it's possible to chase. But it's still not possible to say what will happen tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll have to see how many runs they target, then we'll plan accordingly,” Hridoy said.
“So far, it's batting-friendly. The fifth day tomorrow is definitely a very important day. What I feel, as I said before, the start is very important. If we can start well, 350, I think, is chaseable. But as I said repeatedly, the start is very important."
West Indies began the day 23 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total but made an assured start to their second innings. Openers Brandon King and Joshua Da Silva put together an 85-run partnership, taking on the Bangladesh bowlers and finding the boundary regularly.
King was particularly fluent, striking 11 boundaries, including a six, in his 84-ball innings. Da Silva contributed 36 before Taijul Islam trapped him leg-before wicket.
King was given a reprieve on 56 when Towhid Hridoy dropped him, but Bangladesh eventually found a way through as Mehidy Hasan Miraz had him caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip for 61.
The dismissal brought Hodge and Kevin Wickham together, and the pair went on to produce the defining partnership of the day. Hodge continued his positive approach, while Wickham showed composure and patience on his Test debut.
The duo added 131 runs in the second session without being separated, negotiating the turn and variable bounce with confidence. Wickham also created a piece of history, becoming the first West Indies batter in 48 years to score two half-centuries on his Test debut.
Hodge continued to dictate terms and brought up his third Test century. Their partnership put up 165 runs before Taijul dismissed Wickham for 78.
Amir Jangoo, who had scored a century in the first innings, joined Hodge at the crease as West Indies continued to build their advantage. The pair extended the lead beyond 300 before bad light brought an early end to the day's play.
Taijul was among Bangladesh's more effective bowlers, but the hosts struggled to find regular breakthroughs as West Indies' batters made the most of their time at the crease.
All eyes now turn to Day 5 in Sylhet, where West Indies will look to finish the job and Bangladesh will be aiming to produce a final-day fightback to keep themselves in contention for the Ultimate Test at The Oval in 2027.
