Shafiul Islam (right) of Bangladesh is caught by West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel during the third day of the second Test at Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St Lucia yesterday.

WICB Media Photos

Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah, gets runs off West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor during yesterday's third day of the second Test at Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St Lucia. Mahmudullah made 53.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC): Shiv Chanderpaul's second half-century of the match, and third in as many innings, propelled West Indies to a massive lead and left Bangladesh with a Herculean task of saving the second Test.

At the close of yesterday's third day, West Indies were 208 for four, already a lead of 427 runs, with two days still left in the contest at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

Once again, it was Chanderpaul who was at the heart of the Windies progress, finishing on 63 not out to follow up his unbeaten 84 in the first innings.

He has so far added 108 for the fifth wicket with Jermaine Blackwood, who was in sight of his second Test half-century on 43.

Their stand was required when West Indies slumped to 100 for four, 20 minutes after tea, courtesy of a double strike by off-spinner Mahmudullah, who removed Darren Bravo for seven and then opener Kraigg Brathwaite in quick succession.

Chanderpaul has so far faced 98 balls and struck five fours, while Blackwood has hit a four and a six off 96 deliveries.

West Indies had earlier claimed a commanding 219-run lead, after left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn picked up two of the last three wickets to fall, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 161 in their first innings.

Resuming from their overnight 104 for seven, the visitors were eventually dismissed 20 minutes before lunch, with Benn finishing with two for 19.

Seamers Kemar Roach, who took five for 42, and Jerome Taylor, two for 41, failed to add to their spoils from Sunday.

Bangladesh kept the Windies wicketless for nearly 45 minutes in the morning session, with Mahmudullah, unbeaten on 13 overnight, taking the fight to the West Indies bowlers with a top score of 53.

He batted 161 minutes, faced 100 balls and struck two fours and a six, extending the eighth-wicket stand with Shafiul Islam (10) to 45.

It was pacer Shannon Gabriel who got the breakthrough in the third over of his first spell of the morning, finding Shafiul's edge through to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin at 134 for eight.