DHAKA, Bangladesh: West Indies created a unique piece of history on Tuesday by becoming the first team ever to bowl 50 overs of spin in an ODI innings.
In a bold tactical move during the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, the West Indies opted for a full-spin attack, a strategy that saw all five bowlers used being spinners.
Spin-Only Strategy
After a heavy loss in the first ODI, where the pitch had offered plenty of assistance to spinners, West Indies captain Roston Chase decided to go all-in with spin for the second match.
The decision came with the drop of fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Romario Shepherd, replaced by spinner Akeal Hosein and debutant batter Ackeem Auguste.
The pitch, unchanged from the first match, continued to favor spin, and the visitors wasted no time in implementing their strategy.
Unconventional Attack
Bowling first after losing the toss, West Indies opened with Akeal Hosein and Chase, both of whom bowled 10-over spells, with the sole seamer, Justin Greaves, not even called upon for a single delivery.
The spinners took charge as left-arm orthodox bowlers Khary Pierre and Gudakesh Motie came on, with Motie being introduced in the 11th over of the innings.
The pitch offered no real pace, and the decision to deploy a full-spin attack was soon paying off.
Alick Athanaze – The Surprise Hero
Alick Athanaze, who had bowled just four overs in his two previous ODIs, was called into action in the 18th over after Motie was hit for a six by Bangladesh’s former captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
The part-timer, however, delivered in style, claiming the wicket of Shanto on his very first ball. Athanaze went on to bowl his full quota of 10 overs, impressively finishing with figures of 2/14, including three maidens.
His economy rate of 1.4 was nothing short of exceptional.
The Spin Quartet
Alongside Athanaze, the other spinners made key contributions as well. Akeal Hosein was the most successful, picking up 2 wickets for 41 runs, while Roston Chase (0/44), Pierre (0/43), and Motie (3/65) also kept the scoring under control, despite some costly overs towards the end.
The West Indies spinners shared the wickets and overs, closing out the innings without the need for any seam bowling, and restricting Bangladesh to 213/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
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Records Broken and Strategy Validated
While Bangladesh set target of 214 for Windies facing all spinners, West Indies had created history with 50 overs of spin, a record previously unseen in ODI cricket.
The tactical masterstroke may not have led to immediate rewards in terms of wickets, but the control maintained by the spinners was commendable, proving that spin could dominate even in the absence of fast bowling.
With Bangladesh’s total on the board, the West Indies will need to chase down 214 runs on a turning track, where spinners are likely to have a say.
The match is far from over, but West Indies’ historic spin attack has certainly caught the imagination of cricket fans worldwide.
West Indies’ Bowling Figures
Akeal Hosein: 10 overs, 2/41
Roston Chase: 10 overs, 0/44
Khary Pierre: 10 overs, 0/43
Gudakesh Motie: 10 overs, 3/65
Alick Athanaze: 10 overs, 2/14
