West Indies, once synonymous with blistering pace and searing bounce, rewrote their cricketing identity on Monday night by becoming the first team in men’s ODI history to bowl all 50 overs using only spin. The rare feat came during a tied second ODI against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which the visitors won via Super Over.
This was not just a statistical footnote — it was a bold tactical departure from a legacy built on the shoulders of pace legends such as Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Curtly Ambrose and Joel Garner. In Mirpur, however, it was the slow bowlers who carried the weight of the West Indian cause.
Jayden Seales and Romario Shepherd, two of the side’s frontline quicks, were benched. Justin Greaves, the only seamer in the XI, went unused. Instead, West Indies backed six spinners to exploit the dry conditions, and the gamble paid off.
Roston Chase marshalled the attack with composure, supported by left-armers Khary Pierre and Gudakesh Motie. Debutant Alick Athanaze made an immediate impact, taking 2/14 in 10 tight overs. Motie picked up 3/65, while Hosein remained economical with 2/41.
Bangladesh, also spin-heavy, were held to 213/7. The Windies matched the total, forcing a Super Over, where they edged ahead by a single run. Shai Hope top-scored with 53 and was named Player of the Match.
The previous record for most spin overs in a men’s ODI was 44 by Sri Lanka. West Indies had never crossed 34. Now, with all 50 overs bowled by spin, they own a unique place in the format’s history.
In a match where seam was expected and spin prevailed, West Indies showed that cricketing identity need not be fixed. Tradition was not abandoned — it was adapted, reimagined, and, in the process, made historic.
