BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NEVIS’ star batsman Kieran Powell earlier today in Mipur, Bangladesh stroked his second test match century, which included a 125-run partnership with the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul on the opening day in the first of two Test Matches against Bangladesh.
Following the lost of three big wickets in the morning session, Powell remained at the crease and weathered a tough period shortly after lunch but steadily improved to counter Bangladesh’s efforts.
Powell’s excellent timing and superb footwork allowed him to dominate the Bangladesh bowlers.
According to a report on Cricinfo.com, his timing stood out against pace and there were several opportunities, thanks to a generous dose of over pitched deliveries from seamers Shahadat Hossain and Rubel Hossain. Extra cover, mid-off, mid-on and midwicket were his preferred scoring areas; he drove Shahadat for three consecutive boundaries in his new spell after lunch and had displayed similar confidence in the morning as well.
When the field spread, Powell picked singles comfortably through point and deep square leg and showed no sign of nervousness as he approached three-figures and reached the landmark - his second in Tests - with a paddle past fine leg.
At one stage after lunch, Powell and Chanderpaul hit 11 fours in eight overs.
Powell got a life when he was on 7, when he was caught after the ball ricocheted off the silly-point fielder's helmet, but according to the rules that does not constitute a wicket.
He finally fell to the same bowler in the afternoon session for 117 from 178 deliveries.
“I can’t say if I am going ahead of anyone, you will have to ask the selectors,” said the soft-spoken Powell. “All I could say is that I am trying to strengthen my case for a place in the team each and every day we play.”
He added: “The more runs I score the easier it will be for me. I just try to control what I can control. I was planning on scoring a hundred in this series, which I have now achieved. I will have to reassess my goals for the series and see what else I can achieve.”
The 22-year-old Powell scored his maiden hundred against New Zealand last July at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.
He similarly shared a significant stand with Chris Gayle during that innings and was asked to compare the two and batting with the two senior professionals.
“Two totally different types of surfaces and bowling attacks, so I don’t think the two innings are comparable, but I think this was a good hundred nonetheless,” he said.
“I regretted the way I was dismissed. It was a misjudgement in the length of the delivery. I thought it was a bit shorter than it actually turned out to be.”
Powell said: “Batting with any senior player is easy. Shiv has got lots of experience. He has played 145 Tests, so he takes the pressure off you and allows you to play your game.
“He constantly reminded me to be patient, stay positive, rotate the strike, put away the bad balls and play straight – reinforcing the basics.”
He continued: “Chris is more of a power player and Shiv is a manipulator of the ball. With Chris, you know you have to give him the strike and keep him flowing, and with Shiv you know you can manoeuvre the ball and build a steady partnership.”
West Indies ended day one 361-4 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul not out on 123 and Dinesh Ramdin 52 not out.
The century follows Powell’s impressive series versus New Zealand in the Caribbean earlier this year when he got his maiden test century in Antigua.
