Gabriel brought us back in the game – Warrican

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican credited his team-mate Shannon Gabriel for bringing West Indies back into the game on the first day in Chattogram after Bangladesh had reached a “commanding” position earlier. The hosts were cruising on 222 for 3 after opting to bat, but Gabriel’s third spell broke the back of Bangladesh’s innings with four quick wickets.

Gabriel dismissed Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan single-handedly to reduce them to 235 for 7 before Bangladesh’s lower order “put the momentum back” in their innings.

“Obviously Bangladesh were in the commanding seat from the morning until the tea break,” Warrican said. “I think Shannon bowled very well to get those four quick wickets. He brought us back in the game. But unfortunately they finished well as a team and put the momentum back in Bangladesh’s hands.”

Warrican had an eventful outing on the first day, finishing with 2 for 62 from 21 overs, but it could have been better. He dismissed Imrul Kayes for 44 at the stroke of lunch but he could have removed the batsman earlier for 16, had he not overstepped when Imrul swept a catch to deep square leg earlier in the morning session.

West Indies dropped two clear chances too. The first came in the fifth over when Imrul was on 3 and Roston Chase dropped him at second slip. Later, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich put down centurion Mominul Haque on 67 off Devendra Bishoo.

“I won’t say we were unlucky. I think we create our own luck,” Warrican said. “As a team you don’t want to drop catches or get wickets off no-balls. I don’t think it is luck. It comes down to discipline and doing the right things.”

Amid all this, Gabriel produced a brilliant spell at the start of the third session, in which he took 4 for 26, sparking the middle-order collapse. Warrican said that Gabriel’s advantage is his pace that he extracts from his height, that adds to his discipline.

“I think Shannon’s pace really works for him. He is very tall, so pace with height is very crucial,” Warrican said. “He bowls good areas as well. He is just not someone who bowls quick, but he is also very disciplined. It is very important as a fast bowler.”

Warrican said that West Indies were aware of the dangers of the Chattogram pitch as it already started to turn, adding that the batsmen must be wholly alert.

“It is very good for batting but assists the spinners,” he said. “I think the spinners can get something out of it if they bowl in the right areas. Also, the ball is coming on well for the batsmen but the bounce is inconsistent. You have to watch it closely.”