CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (CMC) – Stand-in West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite says the just-concluded tour of India has helped prepare the Caribbean side for the two-Test series against Bangladesh starting tomorrow.

West Indies suffered a 2-0 thumping against the powerful Indians but the two-Test rubber was played in similar conditions to those which Brathwaite’s side will face in Chittagong and Dhaka.
“We have come from India, and that I think was very good preparation for us before the first Test,” Brathwaite said, following Monday’s drawn tour match against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.

“Obviously quite similar conditions, so that will be good. The main thing is that the wicket is quite similar also.”
He added: “There will be a few challenges, we have to expect that. It won’t be so easy. Obviously, they are very good at home. But we are ready for the challenges.”

West Indies had a productive outing in the two-day tour match with their batsmen spending time at the crease in a total of 303 for seven declared. Their bowlers then also put a solid shift in as the BCB XI reached 232 for five in reply.

Brathwaite, leading the side in the absence of injured regular captain Jason Holder, said they were already keeping a close eye on the pitch for the opening Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

“(We are) expecting a slower type of pitch – normal surfaces here. Let’s see now what happens,” the opener said.
West Indies have an excellent record against Bangladesh, beating them in six of seven series and winning 10 of 14 Tests.

Their only series defeat to the Tigers came in 2009 in the Caribbean when a players’ strike robbed the hosts of their first-choice players.