West Indies ends home losing streak with dominant win over Bangladesh

In a significant test match played in Antigua, the West Indies achieved a remarkable victory over Bangladesh, marking their first win on home soil in over two years. The game concluded with Bangladesh being bowled out for 132 runs in their second innings, a feat accomplished by the West Indies in just seven overs into the final day of play. Alzarri Joseph played a crucial role in this victory, taking two wickets in the first session, which included dismissing Hasan Mahmud and Jaker Ali, leaving Bangladesh at a precarious position of 129-9. The match showcased Joseph's impressive bowling skills, particularly a fierce bouncer that resulted in Shoriful Islam retiring hurt, effectively sealing the match for the West Indies. Prior to this test, the West Indies had not won a match at home since their previous victory over Bangladesh in June 2022. They had endured a winless streak comprising four test matches, a period that put considerable pressure on the team. The current setting, marked by the usual fast-bowler-friendly conditions of Antigua, initially posed a challenge for the West Indies batsmen but they managed to recover well. During their first innings, they declared at 450-9, with Justin Greaves shining as the star performer with a remarkable 115 not out, which was his first test century. His innings was fundamental to the team's success, especially after they found themselves struggling at 253 for six. The captain of the West Indies, Kraigg Brathwaite, praised Justin Greaves for his pivotal contribution, noting that the team's ability to post such a significant score on day one was exceptional given the conditions. Brathwaite emphasized the importance of the key partnerships during their innings, particularly mentioning Greaves' performance which helped the team regain momentum. The West Indies displayed confidence and skill throughout the match, and the win not only ended their home losing streak but also boosted team morale ahead of the upcoming second test. The second test match is scheduled to begin in Kingston, Jamaica, indicating that the West Indies would be looking to build on this success and possibly secure a series win against Bangladesh. The victory is likely to serve as a turning point for the West Indies in their home ground, restoring their reputation and setting a new tone for future matches.