Bravo scores second ton

DHAKA, Bangladesh  – Left-handed stroke-maker Darren Bravo carved out his second century in a week as West Indies “A” made a strong start to their four-day “Test” against Bangladesh “A” yesterday.The 20-year-old Trinidadian scored an attractive 102 to fire the Caribbean side to 285 all out after they won the toss and chose to bat first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.At the close, Bangladesh “A” had reached 22 for one, still 263 runs off first innings lead.Bravo was the day’s main attraction, continuing his rich vein of form, which also brought him an unbeaten 107 against South Africa “A” last Tuesday, in the preceding Tri-Nation Limited Overs Series.His knock was needed after West Indies “A” slipped to 60 for two, as he combined with captain Travis Dowlin in an outstanding 142-run, third-wicket stand to revive the innings.Bravo faced 137 balls and struck 12 fours and a six in just under three hours at the crease, while the right-handed Dowlin hammered 75 with eight fours in an innings spanning 144 balls and 221 minutes.When left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo, who finished with six for 124, bowled Dowlin at 202 for three, Bravo and fellow left-handed batsman Brendan Nash added another 42 for the fourth wicket.Nash, the Australia-born Test left-hander, hit 44 off 73 balls with two fours and a six and held the innings together after Bravo fell.West Indies “A” suffered a late innings decline, however, losing their last six wickets for 41 runs as off-spinner Mahmudul Hasan chipped in with two for 53.The visitors then secured a scalp before the close when good work by Imran Khan accounted for the dangerous left-hander Shahriar Nafees run out for three, with the score on four in the fourth over of the innings. (CMC)