– Windies pacer likes idea off two new balls in ODIs
Fatullah, Bangladesh – West Indies started their tour of Bangladesh on a winning note with a comfortable 65-run victory over the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul was the match-winner with the impressive figures of 9-2-23-4 to slice through the home team’s batting as they fell for 152 off 41 overs in front a holiday crowd of over 7,000 spectators.
Earlier in the match Rampaul smashed 15 not out off 11 balls, including a big six off the last ball, as the West Indies reached 217-9 off their allotted 45 overs to get meaningful work-out ahead of the upcoming series against Bangladesh.
The match was played under the new International Cricket Council’s one-day rules – two new balls being used – one from each end. Speaking after the match, Rampaul said he was quite happy with the change in the playing conditions which he hopes will favour the faster bowlers.
"Playing with two new balls, it keeps the ball a lot newer, so from where I stand it is probably a good thing for the bowlers but not the batters," he said with a smile.
"The two new balls might rule out the chance of plenty reverse swing later in the innings, but you will have a harder ball to bowl later on in the innings. One has to be patient enough, hit the right line and length, and there will be rewards."
Rampaul’s first spell was 4-2-5-0. During his second spell he used the short-pitched ball as a surprise weapon on a pitch that offered good pace and bounce.
"Today when I came back for my second spell the ball was still quite hard and I was able to run in at the batsmen. The ball was sliding off the pitch and it was bouncing and that was good to see.
"The pitch was good for bowling and I tried to be aggressive. We know that the Bangladeshi batsmen don’t handle the short ball all that well so I used it as a surprise and it worked," said Rampaul.
"I’m really looking forward to the upcoming series. I did well earlier this year against India and Pakistan at home so now is a chance to prove my value away from home. This is a big series for me and for the team. I have been putting in a lot of hard work and I feel fit, strong and quite ready."
Earlier in the day the West Indies total was built around 47 from Darren Bravo while wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin and Marlon Samuels both contributed 30. The left-handed Bravo hit five fours and a six and added 59 for the third wicket with Samuels.
Ramdin marked his return to the team with solid displays in front and behind the stumps. He struck two fours and a six off just 23 balls and held three catches. He added 57 in seven overs with skipper Darren Sammy, who made a breezy 27 off 24 balls as the West Indies scored 82 runs in the last 10 overs.
The West Indies will have a T20 warm-up match against the BCB XI on Sunday at 1 pm (3 am Eastern Caribbean Time/2 am Jamaica Time).