Suddenly the roads are much wider and high-rise corporate blocks and hotels near the Knutsford Boulevard, where the teams are based, remind you that life is more bustling and practical here. Incidentally this is the second visit to Jamaica in less than a month for the Tigers, they had to spend a night here at the start of the tour while on transit to St Vincent via Barbados, but things have changed to a certain extent since.

Now people here can immediately recognise the Windies 'Basher' Habibul, say 'Hi Tapash' and schoolkids whisper excitedly among themselves on spotting the Bangla-desh players. Reward for running the home team close in the one-day international series and denting their confidence with a dominating draw in the first Test in St Lucia.

But the Tigers have no time to sit on the positives from the tour as there is just a couple of days gap between the first and second Tests so they had planned afternoon practice at the celebrated Sabina Park, ground where history is made, hours after checking in at the Hilton on Wednesday. Alas, as it had been the case in Grenada, the cricket gears of both teams did not arrive on their flight and the Bangladesh players had to settle for a swimming session instead at the hotel pool.

There were no signs of the kits reaching on Thursday morning even and the practice at 10am (9pm Bangladesh Time) was postponed. Now the Tigers are desperately hoping to train some time in the afternoon provided they receive their gears. Otherwise they go straight into the match that starts on Friday.

Team manager and stand-in coach Faruque Ahmed and skipper Bashar were yet to have a look at the wicket but there is every likelihood of retaining the same twelve as the first Test.

There is the prospect of a double left-arm spin attack with Manjarul Islam partnering veteran Mohammad Rafique, taking into consideration the susceptibility they had shown against him in the ODIs. Manjarul's tenacious batting (he averages 52.50 in two Tests, by far the highest among the Tigers batsmen) is another added advantage. In that case, the most probable candidate to make way would be left-handed batsman Faisal Hossain after making five and one on debut in St Lucia and never looking comfortable.

The West Indies have inserted lanky off-spinner Omari Banks in their preliminary line-up. Banks is almost certain to step in for fast bowler Jermaine Lawson who looked short of match-fitness and pace in St Lucia. Trinidad paceman Ravi Rampaul is another player who has a chance to play.