‘VERY SPECIAL’ GREAVES CENTURY | Regional Sports

“Very special, very emotional.”

That’s how West Indies rookie Justin Greaves described his maiden Test century, an unbeaten 115 against Bangladesh on the second day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, yesterday.

Playing in just his third Test, Greaves continued his momentum from the CG United Super50 Cup to put West Indies in the lead as they declared their innings at 450 for nine after the tea interval yesterday.

The tourists reached 40 for two at stumps, with fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph removing openers Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy respectively. While Greaves said he would have liked one or two more Bangladesh wickets in the bag, the hosts are still in a very good position heading into the third day today.

Speaking to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) media after the day’s play yesterday, the 30-year-old right-hander said: “It was a very special moment and very emotional too. Probably shed a little tear but I’m very happy that I could also put my team in a very good position.”

Greaves resumed his innings from an overnight score of 11 not out with the Windies on 250 for five. And while wickets fell at the other end, he was undeterred.

He faced 206 deliveries and hit four boundaries and also shared a 140-run eighth wicket partnership with Kemar Roach, who hit a career-best 47 off 144 balls.

Greaves said Roach, a veteran of 82 Tests, was a calming influence in the middle.

“It was pretty good to have a senior player like Kemar (Roach) around,” Greaves said.

“He kept saying, keep saying to keep the positive intent and just give yourself some time. Let’s get them as tired as possible and get them in fourth and fifth spells, and Kemar pretty much kept it calm for me out there and I just kept playing my game,” the Leeward Islands butcher continued.

Greaves’ Super50 form was also something that gave the batting confidence to reach triple figures, having watched from the dugout as two of his Test teammates Mikyle Louis (97) and Alick Athanaze (90) missed the mark on the first day.

“I wouldn’t say it (scoring a century) is a benchmark, but for me it was always an option and I had the perfect opportunity to bat as long as possible,” he said.

Noting that he learned from his Super50 record of scoring three consecutive centuries in the regional 50-over competition, Greaves carried that momentum into the Test arena to achieve another three-figure score.

– Lots of hard work and a lot of work behind the scenes. For me it has been a long journey and a lot of mental things I have done have also helped me get there,” he said.

“Strong position for us. Obviously we would have liked one or two more wickets but you can’t get too greedy and tomorrow (today) we have to come and be as disciplined as possible because obviously the pitch has also become a bit easier. But as long as we are consistent over a long period, we will be in a very good position at the end of the day tomorrow,” he added.