Windies Vs Bangladesh 2018: St Kitts, 3rd ODI - Match Preview

After a spectacular comeback by Windies in the second One-day International (ODI) at (Guyana, it’s all to play for both Caribbeans and Bangladesh in the third and final 50-over fixture at Warner Park in St Kitts on July 28 (Saturday).

After Bangladesh won the first ODI by 48 runs, the Windies bounced back and won the second by five runs in a last-over thriller. The stage is now set for the finale of what has been an evenly-fought series.

Skipper Jason Holder bowled a brilliant last over to defend seven runs in the second game. Shimron Hetmyer’s (125) 103-run fifth-wicket stand with Rovman Powell held the home side together for a long period after they stuttered in the first half of their innings.

Spin duo Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo have been quite economical in the series so far although they haven’t taken a lot of wickets, and their death bowling duo Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul lack experience.

Bangladesh have struggled due to their seamers although Rubel Hussain and Mustafizur Rahman have been among wickets. They have done a good job in the middle-overs but at the same time, they have struggled in the death overs.

Moreover, their batting has been a concern too. Apart from Tamim Iqbal and Shakib-al-Hasan, nobody has chipped in yet. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim played a handy knock in the last game but gave away an untimely wicket.

Sabbir Rahman had a poor show in both the games but Bangladesh lacks quality replacement. It will be a cracker of a game when Windies desperate for a bilateral trophy since 2014.

Key Players:

Shimron Hetmyer (Windies): The young batsman has been in top form, blasting a century in the second match and scoring a patient half-century in the first.

He has the ability to steady the ship in case they lose early wickets as well as attack and capitalize on a good start.

While the Windies have Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis at the top of the order, it is Hetmyer that Bangladesh will be wary of.

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): The Bangladesh opening batsman is playing a format he is ‘very comfortable with’ by his own admission and has the runs to show for it.

A century and a half-century have helped his side get competitive totals so far in the series and he will look to do the same in the final. Bangladesh will bank on Tamim for another big knock.

Exciting Battles:

With both the sides evenly poised, there will be some exciting battles for the viewers on display.

The host Windies will be high on confidence after bouncing back from 1-0 down.

The team from the Caribbean has Chris Gayle in their ranks, who can be devastating on his day. Although he has been out of form, however, Bangladesh needs to keep him in check. The onus will be on Rahman, who has been among wickets, to stop the giant batsman.

The team from Asia have Iqbal as their most experienced batter and he will have to step up once again in the final game.

On the other hand, Windies have a weak link in their pace attack as they lack experience. Despite that, Joseph will have to remove Tamim cheaply to protect his team from chasing a big total, considering if they bat first.

Form Guide

West Indies: WLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Bangladesh: LWLLW

Fact and Figures

• Warner Park hosted its first ODI game way back in 2006 between the host Windies and India. However, this stadium has not hosted international for the last two years.
• Windies have won four out of there last five games at this particular venue.
• This is a high scoring ground with the highest total registered in 377 runs by Australia. Windies managed to score 338 against this very opponent Bangladesh in 2014, which is their highest score in this ground.

Pitch and Conditions:

It will be the first international match in Warner Park after two years, and the first day ODI since 2012. Good weather is likely to prevail over Basseterre.

The temperature will be ranging around 30-degree Celsius and there are no chances of rain at all. As a result, this will excite the spectators as they will get to see full hundred over of actions.

It is likely to be a batting paradise and the batsmen should hope to have a good time out in the middle.

Stats and trivia

• Earlier in the series, Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi to score 3,000 runs in ODIs played at away and neutral venues.
• The three-run loss in the second ODI was Bangladesh’s closest margin of defeat in an away game. The previous closest was a five-run loss against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2011. Coincidentally, Mushfiqur Rahim also fell in the last over of that game.

Where to Watch

Sony ESPN will telecast the 3rd ODI between Windies and Bangladesh. The match starts at 7:00 PM IST. Sony Liv will stream the match online along with Jio Tv.

Predicted XI

Andre Russell will miss the third and final ODI due to a knee injury, a Cricket West Indies statement said.

But, he is likely to be fit for the T20I series. Seldon Cottrell will replace him in the squad for the ODI series.

Otherwise, the hosts are likely to retain the same side for the series decider.

Windies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Jason Mohammed, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul, and Alzarri Joseph

Benched: Andre Russell, Kieran Powell

Sabbir Rahman is the only player who has his place in jeopardy scoring only 15 runs from two games.

However, the reserve batsmen – Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das – are not ready to replace him yet.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Benched: Liton Das, Abu Jayed, Nazmul Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Hider Rony

Match Prediction:

Windies have bounced back in style to level the series after trailing 1-0. It has been an evenly poised contest so far and both teams have equal chances of taking away the trophy.

The hosts will be desperate to win their first bilateral series 2014 while Bangladesh will be keen to make up for the Test loss.

However, Russell’s injury will be a huge blow for Windies ahead of the series decider.

Considering the experience Bangladesh have in their ranks, they will have a slight edge over the Windies in the final ODI.