Cricket: West Indies draw first blood against Bangladesh
Simmons’ ton sets up comfortable 40-run win in opening ODI.
DHAKA:
Lendl Simmons smashed a maiden century to set up the West Indies’ comfortable 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening One-Day International (ODI).
The opener, 26, hit two sixes and eight fours in his 124-ball 122 as the West Indies posted 298 for four before restricting Bangladesh to 258 for seven for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shakib Al Hasan (67 not out) and opener Naeem Islam (52) scored half-centuries, but Bangladesh never looked like achieving the stiff target in the day-night match.
West Indies pacemen Ravi Rampaul and Andre Russell, and off-spinner Marlon Samuels bagged two wickets apiece.
Simmons earlier propped up the innings after the tourists had been put into bat as he put on 67 runs with Adrian Barath, who retired after making 21, and 150 with in-form Samuels (71).
Simmons, who had scored six half-centuries in his last nine ODIs before this match, completed his hundred in the 37th over with a single off left-arm spinner Shakib.
His best came in the 40th over when he hit Shafiul Islam for four boundaries before being caught by Alok Kapali off paceman Rubel Hossian in the 42nd over.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2011.
Lendl Simmons smashed a maiden century to set up the West Indies’ comfortable 40-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening One-Day International (ODI).
The opener, 26, hit two sixes and eight fours in his 124-ball 122 as the West Indies posted 298 for four before restricting Bangladesh to 258 for seven for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shakib Al Hasan (67 not out) and opener Naeem Islam (52) scored half-centuries, but Bangladesh never looked like achieving the stiff target in the day-night match.
West Indies pacemen Ravi Rampaul and Andre Russell, and off-spinner Marlon Samuels bagged two wickets apiece.
Simmons earlier propped up the innings after the tourists had been put into bat as he put on 67 runs with Adrian Barath, who retired after making 21, and 150 with in-form Samuels (71).
Simmons, who had scored six half-centuries in his last nine ODIs before this match, completed his hundred in the 37th over with a single off left-arm spinner Shakib.
His best came in the 40th over when he hit Shafiul Islam for four boundaries before being caught by Alok Kapali off paceman Rubel Hossian in the 42nd over.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2011.