West Indies v Bangladesh, 2014-15

	West Indies outclassed Bangladesh 3-0 in the three-match ODI series © WICB Media Photo/Randy Brooks Enlarge
Related Links Series/Tournaments: Bangladesh tour of West Indies Teams: Bangladesh | West Indies

One-day internationals (3): West Indies 3, Bangladesh 0
Twenty20 international (1): West Indies 0, Bangladesh 0
Test matches (2): West Indies 2, Bangladesh 0

As with Zimbabwe the previous year, Bangladesh's heavy defeats in all but the rained-out Twenty20 international emphasised the chasm between West Indies - the ICC's eighth-ranked team in Tests - and the two relative newcomers below them. For this tour they were weakened by the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, their one world-class player, suspended for six months by his board for "serious misbehaviour" (see page 863). Bangladesh's fragile confidence was immediately crushed in the first one-day international, when they let slip a seemingly impregnable position. Needing 218, West Indies were 34 for five before Denesh Ramdin and Kieron Pollard put on 145. It was all downhill for Bangladesh after that.

They skittled for 70 in the second one-dayer, then punished by a record stand of 258 between Ramdin and Darren Bravo in the third. In the First Test, they were thrashed by ten wickets, and in the Second by 296 runs. The citing of off-spinner Sohag Gazi, who was withdrawn from the tour, and the lively swing bowler Al-Amin Hossain for flawed actions were further setbacks (though Hossain was later given the all-clear).

There were occasional performances which confirmed basic talent. Taijul Islam, a 22-year-old slow left-armer, did well, claiming a debut five-for in the First Test. The experienced Tamim Iqbal proved their leading batsman, but his top score of 64 in eight international innings typified the team's overall inconsistency. It placed unbearable pressure on the plucky captain, Mushfiqur Rahim. An unbeaten hundred in a warm-up was a boost for the First Test, in which he battled for seven hours 40 minutes while making 164 runs for once out. By then, the pressure had become too much. His keeping, batting and decision-making deteriorated, and he was relieved of the one-day captaincy once he returned home.

After three hard-fought Tests against New Zealand three months earlier, West Indies were seldom stretched. Kraigg Brathwaite, the opener who had marked his return with a maiden hundred against New Zealand, carried on to 212 in the First Test, showing the tenacity of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, his mentor. Chanderpaul had turned 40 three weeks before the First Test, but age made no difference to his single-minded devotion. After making 183 in the warm-up game, he remained unbeaten in his three Test innings, which spanned 12 hours 23 minutes and 558 balls, and brought him 270 runs. Leon Johnson, a stylish left-hander, capably filled the breach when Chris Gayle was unavailable for the Second Test. Johnson was the 300th player used by West Indies, in their 500th Test; the eventual victory in St Lucia was their 163rd, to go with 168 draws, 168 defeats and a tie.

As they had been against New Zealand, Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn were the leading bowlers. Roach's 11 wickets gave him 26 in the five Tests, which was enough to regain his place in the top ten of the ICC rankings. Benn, the beanpole left-arm spinner, took his tally since his recall for the New Zealand series to 28.

West Indies emerged triumphant despite losing their coach shortly before the one-day series: Ottis Gibson was relieved of his duties after four years in which his side won only nine of their 36 Tests (five of them against Bangladesh or Zimbabwe). Sir Richie Richardson, the team manager, took temporary charge.

Match reports for

Tour Match: Grenada v Bangladeshis at St Andrew's, Aug 17, 2014
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1st ODI: West Indies v Bangladesh at St George's, Aug 20, 2014
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2nd ODI: West Indies v Bangladesh at St George's, Aug 22, 2014
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3rd ODI: West Indies v Bangladesh at Basseterre, Aug 25, 2014
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Only T20I: West Indies v Bangladesh at Basseterre, Aug 27, 2014
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Tour Match: St Kitts & Nevis v Bangladeshis at Basseterre, Aug 30-Sep 1, 2014
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1st Test: West Indies v Bangladesh at Kingstown, Sep 5-9, 2014
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2nd Test: West Indies v Bangladesh at Gros Islet, Sep 13-16, 2014
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