Cricket: West Indies debutant Kyle Mayers shatters records in miracle victory over Bangladesh

Kyle Mayers hit a double century on debut. Photo / Getty

Kyle Mayers — remember the name.

The West Indies have pulled off a miraculous test run chase against Bangladesh, with little-known debutant Mayers scoring an unbeaten double century in the fourth innings.

Set an unlikely target of 395 for victory in Chattogram, the West Indies run chase started poorly, collapsing to 59-3.

But Mayers combined with teammate Nkrumah Bonner for a critical 216-run partnership for the fourth wicket to bring the match back in the balance.

As wickets tumbled at the other end, the 28-year-old Mayers slowly guided his side towards the mammoth target, securing the unlikely victory late on day five.

Mayers' 210 not out is the fifth-highest score by a debutant in test history, and it was the largest esuccessful run chase in Asia.

The previous highest score by a test debutant in the fourth innings was 112, set by Abbas Ali Baig in 1959.

Mayers was a relatively unknown figure in the sport before Sunday's victory. The left-hander had previously played 32 first-class matches, averaging 28.93 with the bat and scoring two centuries.

He represented the West Indies in a handful of one-day matches and made his Twenty20 debut in New Zealand in November, before being given an opportunity at test level this week.

Remarkably, Mayers had scored a duck in his previous two first-class innings before this week's test match.

Former West Indies paceman Ian Bishop tweeted: "Consider the inexperience. Consider that it's tough condition on the final day of a test in Asia. This has to be one of the most significant achievements in the history of West Indies cricket."

West Indies. Unbelievable.
One of the greatest chases. 210 on debut for Mayers.
Beating Bangladesh on their home ground chasing 395. Wow West Indies. Looks like a year where
Away teams will dominate.#BANvWI pic.twitter.com/IA0Z2GC5yn

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 7, 2021

Must be the greatest Test debut ever! https://t.co/Z9lIHWc86r

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) February 7, 2021

Kyle Mayers ... Remember the name !!! 4th innings 210no on debut to win the game ... 🙌🙌🙌 #BANvWI

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 7, 2021

"I always believe in my abilities and the team, and I always was positive," Mayers said after the victory.

"We never gave up. We always said in the dressing room that we need to keep fighting.

"It's a great feeling to be playing test cricket … a guy making his debut and making a double should inspire all youngsters to work hard and reach this level."

The second test match between Bangladesh and the West Indies commences in Dhaka on Thursday.