Fidel Edwards leaves Bangladesh in trouble

Tea Bangladesh 86 for 5 (Shakib 30*, Naeem 6*, Fidel Edwards 5-40) trail West Indies 355 (Kirk Edwards 121, Shakib 5-63) by 269 runs
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West Indies took firm control of the second Test riding on the back of landmark performances from the two men named Edwards - Kirk and Fidel. One reached his second Test century to lay the stage for a competitive score, the other blew away the Bangladesh top and middle order with his eleventh five-for. Just as significant to West Indies' primacy, was the almost inexplicable approach of the Bangladesh batsmen. They chose attack over caution during a fiery spell of pace bowling, scored at more than seven an over at one stage but left their team staring at the possibility of conceding a big first-innings lead.

Having witnessed the lack of assistance to seamers on a placid track during their innings, West Indies began with their fast bowlers bowling round the wicket into a top order packed with left-hand batsmen. The strategy was to induce the batsmen into playing on the off side with three slips and a gully in place, and occasionally roughing them up with short deliveries angling in, the short-leg fielder awaiting the chances. What set Fidel Edwards apart was his extra pace. He consistently bowled over 140kph and varied his lengths well. While he was guilty of doling out some short stuff that was punished, he was accurate with his yorkers and generated extra nip with the new ball.

Bangladesh's action-plan was evident as early as the second over, when Tamim Iqbal dispatched Kemar Roach for three boundaries. Roach was more predictable in his expensive spell, and was driven on the up as well as slashed through point. Restraint was in short supply and West Indies would have sensed a chance when Tamim was beaten chasing a wide one in Fidel Edwards' second over. When he got one that angled in and spat off the pitch, he fended it off the face to be brilliantly caught by Darren Bravo who reacted quickly at short leg to snap it with one hand. The aggression didn't die down, however, and both Imrul Kayes and Shahriar Nafees picked up boundaries through cover and point; each was dropped in the gully region, but even that didn't check them.

The approach was in contrast to the way the West Indies openers, Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell, batted on the opening day, building an innings and seeing off the early threat. The instinct to score produced risky shots and Shahriar's belated attempt to turn the face against Fidel Edwards brought about his demise. Fidel Edwards was proactive in setting the field, getting Bravo to stand exactly where he wanted at short leg and soon enough, the catches followed.

While Roach was taken for runs at the other end, his bruises including a massive six by Kayes over midwicket, Edwards changed his angle to over the wicket against the right-handers. He prised out Raqibul Hasan who played back to a good-length ball that nipped in, and dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim, who prodded at his first delivery that went away, only slightly. His fifth wicket was that of Kayes, who couldn't resist clipping him uppishly, straight to square leg.

The procession to the pavilion at the other end didn't stop Shakib Al Hasan from chancing his arm; he pulled and drove, reaching 30 in quick time though not without a scare. Whether he will continue in the same vein with his side in dire straits remains to be seen.

The capitulation to Fidel Edwards followed a spirited fightback from Bangladesh, who limited the damage to 355 after West Indies had controlled the bulk of the contest. Shakib picked up his eighth five-wicket haul in Tests after an acrobatic return catch from offspinner Nasir Hossain ended a threatening stand between Marlon Samuels and Kirk Edwards. A dropped catch from Mushfiqur and some powerful drives down the ground took Kirk Edwards to his century but Shakib saw off Carlton Baugh and Darren Sammy before lunch. He trapped Kirk Edwards in front after the break to retreat to the dressing room with a big smile on his face. It had withered somewhat when he left for the same place at tea.