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Sarwan's 261 puts West Indies in control

West Indies were on the verge of an emphatic victory after a massive double-century from Ramnaresh Sarwan, ably supported by a Shivnarine Chanderpaul hundred, put them in control of the second Test on the third day at Sabina Park

The Wisden Bulletin
06-Jun-2004
Bangladesh 284 and 66 for 3 (Collins 2-17) trail West Indies 559 for 4 dec (Sarwan 261*, Chanderpaul 101*) by 209 runs
Scorecard


Ramnaresh Sarwan drives on his way to 261 as West Indies take control © AFP
West Indies were on the verge of an emphatic victory after a massive double-century from Ramnaresh Sarwan, ably supported by a Shivnarine Chanderpaul hundred, put them in control of the second Test at Sabina Park. After resuming on 294 for 3, West Indies piled on the agony for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 262-run partnership between Sarwan (261) and Chanderpaul (101*) after losing Tino Best - the nightwatchman - early on in the day's play. And just to rub it in, Pedro Collins took 2 for 17 in the late afternoon to send Bangladesh hurtling towards what looked like inevitable defeat.
Best did not hang around too long, making only 4 before edging Tapash Baisya to Khaled Mashud behind the stumps (297 for 4). That brought Chanderpaul to the crease, and he was positive from the start. A hazy morning helped the Bangladesh bowlers swing the ball, but they overpitched too often and allowed the batsmen to score freely.
Sarwan brought up his 150, his first in Test cricket, with a flick to deep midwicket for three off Mushfiqur Rahman. Chanderpaul, meanwhile, was particularly severe on anything pitched up outside off stump, square-driving Tareq Aziz for four, and pushing Rahman through the covers for fours in three successive overs.
It got much worse after lunch, as both batsmen opened up with the declaration in mind. Having taking 256 balls for his 150, Sarwan then cruised to 261 not out from just 402 balls, while Chanderpaul needed only 189 deliveries to bring up his 10th Test century.
And in the 20 overs at their disposal, the West Indians bowlers made short work of Bangladesh's top order. Collins struck first, trapping Hannan Sarkar leg-before for 10, while both Rajin Saleh (0) and Javed Omar (5) were both caught by Dwayne Smith, off the bowling of Collins and Tino Best respectively. Habibul Bashar was undefeated on 28 at the close, but with his team so far behind, there appeared to be no danger of Brian Lara having to carry out his resignation threat.