KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC )– Rookie opener Kraigg Brathwaite was nearing his second Test century as West Indies made excellent headway at tea on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh here Friday.

The right-hander was nicely perched on 89 not out, an innings that helped the hosts to 182 for two at the break, after being sent in earlier on a decent Arnos Vale batting strip.

He was partnered by stylish left-hander Darren Bravo who was unbeaten on 17, in an unbroken third wicket stand of exactly fifty.

Brathwaite also added 116 for the first wicket with Chris Gayle who was dismissed after lunch for 64.

Brathwaite, unbeaten on 40 at lunch, has so far faced 116 balls and faced six fours while Bravo has spent 40 deliveries at the crease and stroked a six.

Bangladesh did have some success in the session, however, removing talismanic opener Gayle and Kirk Edwards for ten.

After going the first session wicket-less, they prised out Gayle nearly an hour after the break after he added just three to his lunch-time score, lbw to off-spinner Shuvagata Hom after missing a sweep. He was initially given not out but Bangladesh were successful in their review.

Edwards pulled the first ball he faced for four courtesy a long hop from Shuvagata and then cleared the ropes straight overhead a few overs later with the same bowler.

However, two deliveries later, he was snared at silly point off left-arm Taijul Islam, getting a leading edge trying to turn an innocuous delivery to leg.