Rain break halted West Indies' momentum: Campbell
The visitors lost three batters in quick succession once play resumed after a rain interruption in Dhaka
West Indies opener John Campbell said on Thursday that the rain break had disrupted their momentum on the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh.
West Indies picked up seven wickets for 59 runs in the morning session, including five for 19, to bowl Bangladesh out for 272. They reached 89/1 in response before rain interrupted their progress.
Bangladesh, however, fought back after play resumed, removing three batters in quick succession to reduce West Indies to 97/4. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Justin Greaves then steadied the innings with an unbeaten 37-run stand for the fifth wicket.
"Yes, it was a little bit different after play resumed following the rain. I think when we went out after the rain delay, the lights were a little bit more in effect than before we went off for the break," Campbell, who scored 54, said.
"The ball was a little bit darker, and we had momentum going before the rain break as well. I think the break allowed them to regroup, and they were hitting better areas after we went back out."
Campbell believes the game remains evenly poised, but said West Indies could take control with a couple of substantial partnerships on the third day.
"At the moment, I think it's a pretty even game. If we can get one or two more big partnerships, then we'll be in the lead tomorrow. So that's the aim going forward," he said.
"We have more than capable batsmen left. As I said, if we can get a big partnership here and then a few 50-run partnerships, we should be in the lead."
Campbell also credited the West Indies bowling attack for putting the side back in contention, pointing to their improved discipline on the second morning.
"I just thought we were more consistent with our lines and lengths while challenging the batters a lot more this morning than we were yesterday," he said.
Reflecting on his own innings, Campbell said he had focused on being patient and selective, given the inconsistent bounce on offer.
"It was just about trying to pick my balls as much as possible and be as selective as possible. I knew the pitch was a little inconsistent in terms of bounce, so I just tried to stay as positive as possible," he said.
"I didn't try to play the wicket too much in my mind. I just wanted to play each ball at a time. If I thought the ball was in my zone to hit, then that was the plan."
