West Indies vs Bangladesh: The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua is set to host an exciting clash between the West Indies and Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship series.

Match Details

• Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua
• Series: Bangladesh Tour of West Indies (2024/25), ICC World Test Championship
• Date: November 22, 2024

West Indies vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 20
• West Indies Wins: 14
• Bangladesh Wins: 4
• Draws: 2

Pitch Report

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium typically offers something for everyone. Pacers enjoy early movement with the new ball, while spinners come into play as the pitch wears down. Batters will need to adapt initially but can score freely once set. Expect an even contest between bat and ball across both innings.

Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

• West Indies: L, L, L, D, L
• Bangladesh: W, L, L, L, L

Last 5 Meetings

1. June 2022: West Indies won by 10 wickets
2. June 2022: West Indies won by 7 wickets
3. February 2021: West Indies won by 17 runs
4. February 2021: West Indies won by 3 wickets
5. November 2018: Bangladesh won by an innings and 184 runs

Team News

West Indies

• Jason Holder will miss the series due to shoulder rehabilitation.
• Offspinner Kevin Sinclair returns from injury.
• Fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Anderson Phillip are back in the squad.
• Joshua Da Silva remains vice-captain despite Joseph’s return.

Bangladesh

• Najmul Hossain Shanto (groin strain) and Mushfiqur Rahim (finger and shoulder injuries) are ruled out.
• Mehidy Hasan Miraz will captain the side in Shanto’s absence.
• Litton Das returns after missing recent matches due to illness.
• Shahadat Hossain joins as Shanto’s replacement.

Key Players to Watch

West Indies

• Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain): 428 runs in the last 10 matches, vital for stability at the top.
• Jayden Seales: 25 wickets in his last 5 matches with an economy of 4.03.
• Alzarri Joseph: Back in the squad, capable of generating bounce and pace.

Bangladesh

• Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain): All-rounder with 561 runs and 34 wickets in his last 10 matches.
• Taijul Islam: 32 wickets in 7 matches with a consistent strike rate of 52.81.
• Mominul Haque: Reliable middle-order batter with 560 runs in the last 10 matches.

Predicted XI

West Indies

1. Kraigg Brathwaite (c)
2. Alick Athanaze
3. Keacy Carty
4. Justin Greaves
5. Joshua Da Silva (wk)
6. Kevin Sinclair
7. Alzarri Joseph
8. Jayden Seales
9. Kemar Roach
10. Anderson Phillip
11. Jomel Warrican

Bangladesh

1. Mahmudul Hasan Joy
2. Shadman Islam
3. Mominul Haque
4. Shahadat Hossain
5. Litton Das (wk)
6. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c)
7. Taijul Islam
8. Taskin Ahmed
9. Hasan Mahmud
10. Shoriful Islam
11. Nahid Rana

SWOT Analysis: West Indies vs Bangladesh

SWOT Analysis: West Indies

Strengths

1. Dominant Head-to-Head Record: West Indies boast 14 wins in 20 matches against Bangladesh, establishing clear superiority in past contests.
2. Home Advantage: Familiarity with Antigua’s conditions gives them a significant edge, particularly for their bowlers.
3. Bowling Reinforcements: The return of Alzarri Joseph and Anderson Phillip strengthens the pace department, while Kevin Sinclair adds variety with spin.
4. Steady Leadership: Kraigg Brathwaite’s experience as captain and reliable performances provide stability to the side.

Weaknesses

1. Inconsistent Recent Form: A string of losses (four in their last five matches) underscores struggles in maintaining competitiveness.
2. Jason Holder’s Absence: The absence of their star all-rounder impacts both their batting depth and bowling versatility.
3. Batting Reliance on Brathwaite: Overdependence on Kraigg Brathwaite to anchor innings could lead to pressure in case of early dismissals.

Opportunities

1. Rise in WTC Rankings: Securing a win could improve their standing in the ICC World Test Championship.
2. Emerging Talents to Shine: Players like Alick Athanaze and Joshua Da Silva have a chance to make an impact and secure their spots.
3. Spin-Friendly Pitch: Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican can exploit the conditions to trouble Bangladesh’s batting lineup.

Threats

1. Bangladesh’s Improved Pace Unit: Taskin Ahmed and his pace counterparts could challenge the West Indies’ top order on a seamer-friendly pitch.
2. Spin Vulnerability: The likes of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz could cause problems as the pitch wears down.
3. Complacency Risk: A dominant head-to-head record might lead to underestimating a Bangladesh side hungry to prove itself.

SWOT Analysis: Bangladesh

Strengths

1. Improving Pace Attack: The trio of Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam has the potential to exploit Antigua’s early movement for pacers.
2. Balanced Spin Options: Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam form a potent spin duo capable of exploiting turn and bounce as the match progresses.
3. Recent Confidence Boost: A win in their last five matches provides some momentum to counter West Indies’ dominance.

Weaknesses

1. Key Player Absences: Missing senior players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto weakens their batting depth and leadership.
2. Inexperienced Middle Order: Reliance on untested batters like Shahadat Hossain could lead to collapses against a quality bowling attack.
3. Poor Record in Antigua: A single win in previous matches at this venue underlines their struggles in these conditions.

Opportunities

1. Chance to Upset: Bangladesh can capitalize on the West Indies’ recent poor form and turn the tables with a disciplined performance.
2. New Leaders to Shine: Mehidy Hasan Miraz has the opportunity to prove himself as a capable captain in Test cricket.
3. Developing Young Talent: The series provides a platform for emerging players like Shahadat Hossain to showcase their skills.

Threats

1. Home Advantage for West Indies: Adapting to challenging conditions in Antigua could be a tough task for the visiting team.
2. Experienced Bowling Attack: Facing the likes of Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Kemar Roach could test their batting resolve.
3. Spin Challenges: A potentially spin-friendly pitch may expose weaknesses against Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican.

West Indies vs Bangladesh Prediction

West Indies enter the series as favorites due to their superior head-to-head record and experience in home conditions. However, Bangladesh’s pace attack, led by Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, could pose a challenge if they adapt quickly. Expect a competitive game, with West Indies holding a slight edge.

Where to Watch

Fans can catch the live action on the FanCode app and website. Stay tuned for updates and thrilling moments from Antigua.