Kevin Wickham has written his name into West Indies cricket history, becoming the first batter from the Caribbean side in 48 years to score two half-centuries on Test debut.

The 23-year-old from Barbados reached the mark on the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 8 November. He made 61 in the first innings and followed it with 78 from 107 balls in the second, an innings that included seven fours and two sixes.

A 48-year wait ends

The last West Indies batter to score 50 or more in both innings of his first Test was Sew Shivnarine in 1978. The first to do it was Frank de Caires, who made 80 and 70 against England in Bridgetown in January 1930. Wickham is only the eighth West Indies player ever to achieve the feat.

Wickham came to the crease with West Indies in trouble and built the defining stand of the day with Kavem Hodge. The pair added 131 runs in the afternoon session without being separated, and their third-wicket partnership eventually reached 165 before Taijul Islam dismissed Wickham with a caught-and-bowled.

Hodge leads West Indies charge

Hodge finished the day unbeaten on 140, his third Test century, as West Indies closed on 345 for 3 in their second innings, a lead of 315 runs with a day to play. Brandon King also made 61 as the visitors took firm control of the second and final Test of the series.

Bangladesh, who made 386 in their first innings, face a huge task on the final day in Sylhet, with West Indies aiming to finish the job and stay in the race for the World Test Championship final at The Oval in 2027.