It was the fast bowlers' opening bursts - in both innings - that paved way to West Indies beating Bangladesh inside three days, according to captain Jason Holder.
In the first innings, Kemar Roach reduced Bangladesh to 18 for 5 on the way to 43 all out, and in the second, Shannon Gabriel had them 50 for 6. In fact, Bangladesh were able to last a mere 354 deliveries in the entire Test as they crashed to an-innings-and-219-run defeat.
Roach took 5 for 8 in the first innings and was the Man of the Match, while Gabriel continued the good form he had shown in the series against Sri Lanka with 5 for 77 in the second innings. Holder himself and Miguel Cummins, the fourth pacer in West Indies' attack, took five wickets each in the match.
Towering frame? Check. Raw pace? Check. Wickets? Work in progress
"The opening burst by Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach set the tone for us, and I was able to come in and get a few wickets at the end, and obviously Miguel Cummins got three wickets in the first innings as well," Holder said. "It was a clinical performance in the first hour of play and obviously we set it up quite nicely with the bat, led by Kraigg (Brathwaite). A wonderful hundred, I think it's his seventh Test match century, and well supported by everybody else who chipped in. I think it was a good opportunity for everybody to get a chance in the middle. Only one of our batsmen missed out, that's Roston (Chase, who made 2). But hopefully in Jamaica, he comes to the party."
Holder said he was looking forward to the second and final Test of the series, starting in Kingston from July 12, and expected Bangladesh to bounce back. "Happy overall with the performance. I felt we bowled and batted well in this Test match. We also supported our bowlers in the field," he said. "We're looking forward to the next Test in Jamaica. I expect Bangladesh to come back and come at us pretty hard. It's just a matter of us being consistent and maintaining the pressure we set on them."
While the West Indies seamers have all been among the wickets, legspinner Devendra Bishoo has had a lean run. Bishoo has been wicketless in West Indies' last three Tests - two against Sri Lanka and this one against Bangladesh - and also not been thrown the ball very often. He has bowled only 29 overs combined in those three matches, and only seven overs in the last two Tests.
"I think we've got a really good balance here. I know Devendra Bishoo hasn't really come into the fore as much as we probably would have expected but I think he has a part to play," said Holder while remaining noncommittal about the XI for the next match. "It's just a matter of seeing how the conditions are in Jamaica and then making a decision."