Brathwaite shows steely resolve

Concentration, focus and not letting the guard down -- these perhaps are the most precious attributes for a batsman in Test cricket. And all of these were certainly on display from Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies Test skipper, during the first day of the three-day warm-up match against the BCB XI at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

While a number of Windies batsmen struggled against the likes of leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and pacer Khaled Ahmed, Brathwaite's patiently built 187-ball 85 spanning over more than four-and-a-half hours was probably indicative of his intentions of amending his below-par records against the Tigers in Bangladesh.

The 28-year-old boasts a record worthy of bragging at home against the Tigers. He smashed two tons and a double-ton -- a 447-ball 212, his highest ever Test score at Kingstown in 2014 -- at an average of 93.83 in the four Tests he played against Bangladesh at home.

But the batsman from Barbados failed to replicate those figures while playing in Bangladesh. At an average of just 13.12, the right-hander could only amass 105 runs in the four Tests -- stats that he would surely like to improve this time around.

Brathwaite showed intent but also left clues yesterday that the Tigers could pick up and use to restrict him from improving his away stats against the Tigers on this tour. As things went yesterday, perhaps the best time for Bangladesh pacers to pick up the wicket of Brathwaite would be to challenge him outside the off-stump at the start of the innings.

The right-hander did give a solid start to his side by stitching a 67-run opening stand with John Campbell but both openers looked a bit shaky in the beginning, edging a few deliveries from pacers Khaled and Mukidul Islam. Khaled, who picked up a three-for and also troubled batsmen with a hint of reverse swing at the latter stage of the day, was also the one to pick up the wicket of Brathwaite as he had him trapped in front.

The young BCB XI did not include any left-arm spinner, perhaps as part of a plan to not let West Indies acclimatise to the type of spin attack that awaits them in the upcoming two-Test series. But still, Rishad, the only leggie in the BCB XI and the one who bagged a fifer to help bundle the West Indies XI for 257, troubled Brathwaite and others from time to time.

Brathwaite seldom played away from his body and looked most comfortable while playing on the backfoot. Of the 85 runs scored by him, 57 runs came while playing on the leg side.

The BCB XI finished the day with 24 for no loss and the only thorn on their way was Brathwaite. And even though Bangladesh would go in as favourites in the Test series against a side that are missing many of their regular starters, the Tigers would still consider being well prepared against any potential threats that could come in their way of registering first points in the Test championship.