Hodge's unbeaten 140 puts West Indies 315 ahead vs Bangladesh in Sylhet
Synopsis
Kavem Hodge's unbeaten 140 and a historic debut performance from Kevin Wickham — the first West Indies batter in 48 years to score fifties in both innings of a Test debut — have put the visitors 315 runs ahead with a full day to play in Sylhet. A series sweep is all but certain; for Bangladesh, the WTC final dream hangs by a thread.
Key Takeaways
Kavem Hodge is unbeaten on 140 — his third Test century — as West Indies closed day four on 345/3 in Sylhet on 8 November 2026 .
West Indies lead Bangladesh by 315 runs , with one day's play remaining in the second and final Test.
Debutant Kevin Wickham made 78 , becoming the first West Indies batter in 48 years to score a half-century in each innings of his Test debut.
Brandon King contributed 61 at the top, while Amir Jangoo added an unbroken 61 alongside Hodge at the close.
Having won in Mirpur , West Indies are on course for a 2-0 series sweep ; Bangladesh's WTC final prospects face a serious blow.
Kavem Hodge struck a commanding unbeaten 140 — his third Test century — as West Indies closed day four of the second and final Test against Bangladesh at 345/3, extending their lead to a formidable 315 runs at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 8 November 2026. With bad light forcing an early stumps, Bangladesh face a near-impossible task on the final day.
Key Partnerships Power West Indies
West Indies resumed from 7/0, and opener Brandon King and wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva wasted little time, putting on 85 runs for the first wicket. Taijul Islam broke the stand by trapping Da Silva lbw for 36. King, who reached his half-century off 62 balls, made 61 off 84 balls with 11 boundaries and a six, before Mehidy Hasan Miraz found his outside edge — Najmul Hossain Shanto pouching a sharp catch at slip.
Hodge then combined with debutant Kevin Wickham for a third-wicket stand of 165 runs, with Bangladesh's spinners unable to create consistent pressure. Sloppy fielding added to the hosts' frustration — Wickham was notably put down on 56 by Towhid Hridoy.
Historic Debut for Wickham
Wickham, playing his maiden Test, made 78 before offering a leading edge off Taijul, who completed the catch in his follow-through. His innings was nonetheless historic: Wickham became the first West Indies batter in 48 years to score a half-century in each innings of his Test debut, having already registered a fifty in the first innings.
Hodge Passes 1,000 Test Runs
Hodge, who crossed the 1,000 Test runs milestone during his knock, completed his century after the tea break and remained unbeaten at the close. Amir Jangoo, who had scored a century in the first innings, provided steady company, adding an unbroken 61 runs alongside Hodge before umpires removed the bails due to bad light.
Series Sweep in Sight, WTC Implications for Bangladesh
Having won the first Test in Mirpur, West Indies are firmly positioned to complete a 2-0 series sweep. For Bangladesh, the defeat would dent their prospects in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with the final scheduled at The Oval in June 2027. Bangladesh will need an extraordinary fightback on day five — bowling out West Indies cheaply and then chasing whatever target is set — a scenario that appears highly unlikely given the momentum.
Brief scores: West Indies 356 & 345/3 in 83 overs (Kavem Hodge 140*, Kevin Wickham 78; Taijul Islam 2/118, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1/58) lead Bangladesh 386 in 111.5 overs by 315 runs.
Point of View
But the larger narrative is West Indies' quiet resurgence in Test cricket away from home. Bangladesh, playing at home with a spin-friendly surface, should have held the advantage — yet their spinners were unable to exploit conditions and their fielding gifted West Indies crucial runs. For Bangladesh, the WTC implications are significant: a 2-0 home series defeat undermines their bid for the Lord's cycle and signals structural problems that a single day-five fightback cannot mask.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the West Indies vs Bangladesh second Test in Sylhet?
West Indies closed day four on 345/3, leading Bangladesh by 315 runs. Kavem Hodge is unbeaten on 140, with Amir Jangoo his overnight partner. West Indies need quick runs and wickets on day five to seal the win.
Who is Kavem Hodge and why is his innings significant?
Kavem Hodge is a West Indies middle-order batter who struck his third Test century — an unbeaten 140 — on day four in Sylhet. He also surpassed 1,000 Test runs during the knock, cementing his place as a key figure in the West Indies batting order.
What historic record did Kevin Wickham set on debut?
Kevin Wickham became the first West Indies batter in 48 years to score a half-century in each innings of his Test debut, registering scores in both innings of the Sylhet Test. He made 78 in the second innings before being dismissed by Taijul Islam.
What are the WTC implications for Bangladesh from this Test series?
A 2-0 home series defeat would significantly damage Bangladesh's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, scheduled at The Oval in June 2027. They entered the series needing strong results to remain in contention in the WTC cycle.
How did West Indies perform in the first Test of this series?
West Indies won the first Test in Mirpur, and a victory in the Sylhet Test would complete a 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh in a two-match series.
