Powell ton steadies WIndies vs Bangladesh

DHAKA (AFP) –

Kieran Powell plays a stroke for West Indies against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday. Powell scored a sedate century to lift the West Indies to 228-3 at tea on the opening day of the first Test.

Opener Kieran Powell scored a sedate century to lift the West Indies to 228-3 at tea on the opening day of the first Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old right-handed batsman was unbeaten on 115 for his second hundred in Tests and was associated in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 122 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (46) after West Indies won the toss and batted.

Powell joined the experienced Chanderpaul with their team in a spot of bother at 106-3 and batted with resolve on a slow turning pitch at Shere Bangla stadium, thwarting a spin-cum-pace home attack.

Bangladesh’s Sohag Gazi (R) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle (L) during the first day of their first Test in Dhaka. The off-spinner opened the bowling attack and dismissed Gayle (24) and Darren Bravo (14) in his first spell.

Powell reached his century with a sweep off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan for his 15th boundary. He has so far hit 18 boundaries and a six during his four-hour stay at the crease.

Chanderpaul, playing his 145th Test, was equally resolute as Bangladesh lost the early advantage provided by debutant Sohag Gazi who claimed the first two wickets in the morning session after being handed the new ball to open the attack.

Chris Gayle greeted the young spinner with aggression, smashing the first and fourth ball of the match by Gazi for big sixes before clobbering two fours off paceman Shahadat Hossain to threaten Bangladesh’s bowling attack.

But Gazi soon had revenge, having the flamboyant opener caught at long-off in his fifth over.

Darren Bravo added 42 for the second wicket before miscuing a drive off Gazi and was caught at point to leave the West Indies at 74-2.

Marlon Samuels then helped add another 32 for the third wicket before falling to Hossain — thanks to a good catch by Gazi — in the last over before lunch after scoring 16.