After helping to put the West Indies in a fairly commanding position on Sunday’s second day, fast bowler Jayden Seales said playing in Jamaica gives him great joy following his history-making performance against Bangladesh in the second Test at Sabina Park.

The West Indies will resume today’s third day of play at 10:00 am on 70 for 1, trailing by 94 runs after Seales’ figures of 4 for 5 in 15.5 overs helped bowl out the visitors for 164 after resuming on 69 for 2.

The Trinidadian’s effort was the most economical in Test cricket in nearly 50 years and the best-ever in a four-wicket haul. Along with the historic figures, he now has 15 wickets at Sabina Park.

Seales says the Jamaican supporters and the conditions played a critical role in his success.

“As I’ve always said, I love to play cricket in Jamaica, mainly because of the pitch; it always does a lot for the bowlers throughout the entire day and it showed throughout the day that the ball still did a lot, and it worked for us,” he said.

“I tend to find a good rhythm and I just enjoy playing cricket here because the crowd actually comes out, which is a surprising thing for us in the Caribbean. So having that crowd pushing us and having the under-13 Jamaican boys were giving me a bit of energy down the end of my spell as well.”

The 23-year-old now has nine wickets across three innings against Bangladesh, which he says is a result of him improving his craft.

“Now I’m using my skills a lot more and trying to set up batsmen a lot more and make them feel for my stump delivery when I’m not going to bowl it. I had a problem in getting wickets in second innings of Test matches before, so it was something I went back and worked on in terms of my fitness and staying strong throughout the entire game and being able to put on performances all the time,” he said.

Shamar Joseph also stepped up with figures of 3 for 49, while Alzarri Joseph ended with 1 for 29.

The Caribbean men will be looking to take full control of the Test when Captain Kraigg Brathwaite (33) and Keacy Carty (19) resume the West Indies’ third day reply. Mikyle Louis was the lone wicket to fall for 12.

Seales is optimistic his teammates can get the job done with the bat as they look to seal the series win.

“I have no doubt that the batsmen will get the job done, they’re in good touch each and every one of them, so I believe that they will put the hands up and bat well for the team and get us to the lead we so desire,” he said.

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales delivers a ball during Day Two of the second Test Match between West Indies and Bangladesh at Sabina Park on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Seales took 4 wickets for 5 runs in 15.5 overs to help dismiss Bangladesh for 164 runs (Naphtali Junior)

Alick Athanaze dives to take a brilliant catch to dismiss Bangladesh batsman Taskin Ahmed on Day Two of the second Test match between both teams at Sabina Park on Sunday, December 1, 2024. (Naphtali Junior)

Nahid Rana of Bangladesh looks back at his stumps as he is bowled for a duck by West Indies pacer Jayden Seales during the second Test match at Sabina Park on Sunday, December 1, 2024 (Naphtali Junior)