KINGSTON // The West Indies captain Floyd Reifer admitted preparations had not been ideal before the first Test against Bangladesh but promised to bounce back after their defeat to Bangladesh on Monday. Back in the subcontinent, fans took to the streets to celebrate in the early hours of yesterday when their national side had finished snatched a rare Test win after a poor start. It was only their second Test win and the first on foreign soil. Four years and six months since beating Zimbabwe at home, Bangladesh won by 95 runs over a makeshift West Indies side.
A contractual dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board and the players meant the hosts were forced to recall fringe players including seven who their Test debuts. It was uncertain up to the last minute who would be playing in the game and Reifer, whose last Test was over 10 years ago, admitted: "It was a rush. We've been practising, but it was a long game. "We are disappointed, we got starts in the first innings but didn't go on to get a big score," Reifer said.
"The guys fought well, (David) Bernard especially and Omar Phillips. We'll put up a better performance in the next game." However, it was not sure whether the loss would prompt the warring factions to broker a truce. Reifer added that he had not been told which side would be playing at St George's on Friday, saying: "You will have to ask the chairman." * agencies
