Bangladesh v England, 2nd Test, Dhaka

England 496 (Bell 138, Bresnan 91, Shakib 4-124) & 209 for 1 (Cook 109) beat Bangladesh 419 (Tamim 85, Swann 4-114) & 285 (Shakib 96, Tredwell 4-84) by 9 wickets


Day One


The first day of the second test in Dhaka was a strangely disappointing affair as both England and Bangladesh struggled to get a strangle hold on the match. The hosts failed to capitalise on a flat, lifeless wicket, whilst England were never able to maintain pressure on the Bangladeshi batsman, and quickly ran out of ideas as to how to contain a certain Tamim Iqbal who's reputation as a no-holds-barred opening batsman has sky-rocketed in the last few months. His 85 from 71 balls propelled the Tiger's to 119 for 1 before an attempted sweep off debutant James Tredwell appeared to clip Tamim's glove en route to a grateful Matt Prior behind the stumps, replays showed it may well have only glanced his forearm but thankfully for England the decision stood.

Debutant James Tredwell was fortunate to end 

Tamim Iqbal's domineering knock

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After a scorching start Bangladesh began to totter as the ever-reliant Graeme Swann trapped Jahurul Islam in front LBW leaving Shakib's men delicately poised on 122 for 3. But the tourists were unable to take advantage and wickets became less frequent throughout the afternoon session, Junaid Siddique constructing a useful 39, whilst the versatile Mahmudullah passed his half-century with ease only to be undone by Stephen Fin in the first ball of his spell. The captain Shakib Al-Hasan fell one short of a half-century of his own and Mushfiqur Rahim the Bangladeshi wicket-keeper dug in with Naeem Islam for 30 off 83 balls, but having shown such promise in the first test it was a shame to see the little man not launch some sort of counter-attack whilst the pitch was at its best.

Ultimately it was the hosts inability to convert decent chances into big substantial innings that haunted them throughout the days play. So often blown away at the top level, almost all of Bangladesh's batsman got their eye in only to loose concentration and throw their wicket away. Equally England only really found momentum in the final session having never been able to effectively pressurise the opposition in the field. Cook seemingly unwilling to take a risks and instead happy to move through the motions opting for defensive fields when England were in need of a breakthrough, rather than chancing his arm. All things said a gritty final session saw Cook's men restrict Bangladesh to 330 for 8 overnight,  and considering Tamim's fireworks and the dire state of the pitch England would have no doubt been satisfied with their days work.

Day Two


Day two was in fact shaded by Bangladesh, who resuming on 330 for 8 were finally bowled out for an admirable 419 thanks to half-centuries from Naeem Islam and Shafiul Islam. The two Islams shared a stand of 74 as England's bowlers failed to get into their stride early on, the two batsmen proving useful foils for one another as Shafiul threw caution to the wind, whilst the more experienced Naeem kept the English fielders on their toes rotating the strike and frustrating the tourists. Unsurprisingly Shafiul was the man to fall first shortly after registering his maiden Test match 50, but the toil continued for Cook as a 31-run tenth wicket partnership between Naeem and Rubel Hossain saw Bangladesh pass 400. However with the pitch still flat and true Bangladesh would still have to work extremely hard to dislodge England's top order who had already enjoyed milking their bowlers for big runs only a week before in Chittagong.

A wagging Bangladeshi tail left the likes of Steven Finn 

with their heads in their hands for much of the morning

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As it turned out the Tigers soon found themselves in a tidy position thanks to some indifferent English batting and determined bowling by the likes of Rassak and Hussain. After a fluid 21 it was Cook who was first back into the changing rooms oddly deciding to slop-sweep Abdur Razzak only for the England skipper to pick out Imrul Kayes at midwicket. With KP at the crease Shakib opted to use both of his left-arm spinners in tandem hoping to once again undo England's foremost stroke-maker. For a while Pietersen was equal to the task and he soon past 5,000 Test runs, but following a succession of maidens and marginal decisions that went the batsman's way he was undone by his old nemesis. Yes it was Shakib's left arm tweakers that induced a leading edge from England's No.3 and Kayes bagged his second catch of the match at short cover. When Paul Collingwood succumbed to the reverse swing of Hossain Bangladesh were firmly in control and the tourists were in real trouble at 107 for 3.

A dogged unbeaten 64 from Jonathan Trott ensured that English blushes were not quite as rosy and at stumps England had managed to grind their way to 171 for 3. The day though remained to Bangladesh who comfortably passed 400 to amass an unlikely first innings total of 419, and then carried their momentum into the field exercising their plans well and not allowing England to score as freely as they had done before.

Moreover Cook's inexperience as captain was finally beginning to show as he chopped and changed in search of what he considered the 'inevitable' final two wickets. But with the likes of Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan, and Graham Gooch overseeing the progress of the new-look England team, Cook has unrivalled access to some of England cricket's steeliest characters.

Day Three


Following a timid display by England on day two, Cook and his men were aiming to finally stamp their authority on a game that had yet to serve as an inspiring advertisement for Test match cricket. Early signs though were not encouraging. Jonathan Trott unfortunate to be, but ultimately dismissed in only the third over of the day by Shakib Al Hasan who had the forearm of England's gritty opening batsman to thank for the removal of Trott's off-stump. Consequently England were left in a fragile state and their hopes of a 2-0 whitewash well and truly in the balance.

It was up to Ian Bell to breath some life into England's innings, and it was a typically classy 138 that guided the tourists to a slender lead at the close of play. What was most fascinating about Bell's knock was that as he recorded his 10th Test hundred it was the first time he had past three-figures without a team-mate doing so before in an innings. No longer the accomplice Bell became his team's anchor and managed to inspire the likes of Matt Prior (62) and Tim Bresnan who finished the day unbeaten on 72 to avoid any England blushes. No doubt there will be sterner tests ahead for Bell this year, not least this winter, but it still remains a telling statistic, and may well be a sign that Bell is ready to take on the responsibility of putting together match winning scores in the middle overs in the hope of cementing a spot in England's Ashes squad and beyond.

Mushfiqur Rahim shakes the hand of Ian Bell after a majestic ton on Day Three

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Aside from Belly's heroics luck remained in the batsmen's side with decisions regularly going against Bangladesh and it was not long before Shakib was dragging himself around the field, a feeling of dejection that soon spread to the rest of the hapless Tigers and even the Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons. Siddon's frustration was understandable and he lost his cool or more than one occassion, firstly charging into the umpire's room, and later when an LBW appeal against Bell was turned down, he was seen gesticulating at the boundary edge. Whilst one could sympathise which Siddons's frustration it was hard to see that at such a crucial stage in the Test match that a writhing coach on the sidelines was to going to provide Shakib's men with much-needed inspiration.

However, England's lead remains slender and if the Bangladeshi bowling has proved anything it is that their are few demons in this pitch.With the dangerous Tamim Iqbal eager to clear the ropes from ball one, Cook will have to remain patient and be more canny with his field placements with Graeme Swann and James Tredwell likely to be rolling poles for much of day four as England look to capitalise on a dogged days work with the willow in hand.

Day Four


Continued determination with the bat and an impressive outing with the ball saw England take charge on the fourth day in Dhaka. Resuming on 440 for 8 Bresnan and Tredwell shared a useful ninth-wicket partnership of 47 before the latter fell for 91 trying to loft Abdur Razzaq back over his head, only to be undone by some sharp turn on a wearing surface. The uncharacteristic 'dance' down the wicket from the Yorkshireman  though seemed to spark the tourists into life, and a brace of boundaries by Tredwell off Shakib, who amassed a titanic 66 overs in England's second innings, propelled his side to 496 all out.

Tim Bresnan fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test century

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As expected Cook quickly 'turned' to his spinners and Tredwell was unfortunate not to have Tamim back in the shed early on. The enterprising opener was given all of three lives, first Prior unable to gobble up a fairly straightforward edge behind the stumps, Tredwell himself was then guilty of fumbling a caught and bowled opportunity with Tamim on 26, and it was not before another catch had gone wanting that Swann finally removed Bangladesh's wonderkid, slashing the offspinner to Stuart Broad at point.

Despite missed opportunities England continued to ride their luck. Imrul Kayes bowled after the ball ricocheted off his thigh pad and onto the stumps, and soon after Junaid had got quietly into his stride he somehow managed to cut a Tredwell delivery straight onto the Cook's boot only for the ball to loop back to spinner who gratefully took the most peculiar of caught and bowled.

Bresnan's career best batting figures did little to compromise his bowling, the bustling seamer managed to swing the ball both ways with ease, and it was not long before he snuffed out the talented Mahmadullah taking a thin inside edge as Bangladesh slipped to 130 for 4. A slip soon became a slide thanks to a peach from Graeme Swann completely deceiving Jahurul with dip and grip managing to dart his offspin untouched between bat and pad.

130 for 4 became 156 for 5 and not long after 169 for 6, with only a further three runs added before the bails were removed. Bangladesh's inability to move up through the gears, either getting bogged down in first or skipping directly to fifth, cost them dearly and their immaturity in the longer format was evident. Ploys that have seen Bangladesh become a competitive force in One Day International cricket will never prove fruitful in Test cricket, and this will be a lesson that Shakib's army of youthful cricketers will have to learn before too long.

Day Five


England maintained there one-hundred percent record over Bangladesh with a seemingly comfortable victory over the test minnows in the second and final test in Dhaka. The two captains provided the main talking points throughout the final days play that saw England cross the line, albeit amongst another spirited Bangladesh batting performance.

Having tottered to 172 for 6 yesterday much, in fact almost everything rested on the shoulders of the Tiger's captain Shakib Al Hasan, and he did not disappoint. As his team-mates crashed around him Shakib very nearly guided his team to safety. The birthday boy combined well-timed flourishes with dogged defence and almost put his side on the brink of an upset as he looked to take as much time out of the game as possible. Tragically one shot away from a majestic ton he lost his cool and ran down the wicket to Tredwell attempting an enormous swipe only to hit thin air and be stumped for 96. The manner of his dismissal was typical of Bangladesh's cricket this series, and the naivety that they continue to play with despite possessing raw talent that many well established Test nations would envy.

Alastair Cook finished as the leading run scorer in a victorious series for England

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Plaudits must remain with England though, and after a sketchy series in charge, Alastair Cook ensured that there was little doubt as to his calibre as his country's gritty first choice opening batsman. He finished as the leading run scorer in the series with a career-best 173 in Chittagong, and his unbeaten 109 on the first day in Dhaka ensured that England's victory in the end at least appeared comfortable. A dejected bowling display by the likes of Shaiful Islam and Abdul Razzak gifted the tourists an easy start, and Pietersen joined forces with his captain crafting a sumptuous 74 not out to see England cruise to a nine-wicket victory and a 2-0 series whitewash.

Bangladesh v England, 1st Test, Chittagong

England 599 for 6d (Cook 173, Collingwood 145) & 209 for 7d beat Bangladesh 296 (Tamim 86, Swann 5-90) & 331 (Siddique 106, Swann 5-127) by 181 runs.

After a positive result in the one-day series England were looking to continue their good form into the longer format marking the beginning of their preparations for the eagerly anticipated Ashes series this winter. With Andrew Strauss still on a much-deserved break from test cricket Alastair Cook was given his first chance to captain his country in the five-day game. And it was changes all-round as England brought in two fresh faces for their opening match in Chittagong, Michael Carberry would get a long-awaited chance filling in for Strauss at the top of the order whilst young Stephen Finn, a 6ft 7 giant from Middlesex would try to prove himself in less-than-familiar conditions.

Day One

Whilst Cook's chance to captain England would be inevitably short-lived he did his chances of one day leading his country no harm on the first days play, as himself and Kevin Pietersen piled on the runs in the sub-continental heat. Finishing on an unbeaten 158 Cook provided the backbone for his side as they closed on a 374 for 3. Earlier Pietersen had amassed a well crafted 99 only to be undone by his nemesis, the left-arm spinner, but alongside Cook they marched England into dominant position.

Despite Cook becoming the fifth England batsman to score a century in his first match in charge, it was Shakib Al-Hasan, the Bangladesh captain that caused the major talking point. On a pitch that looked certain to deteriorate as the game progressed Shakib unfathomably opted to field giving the English batsman the chance to post a handsome first innings total. The obvious lack of confidence showed by Shakib did little to inspire his bowlers as they toiled throughout most of the day and England profited from some decidedly ordinary test match bowling. So England stood pretty after day one and even at this early stage it seemed that Bangladesh would be chasing the game from here on in.

Alastair Cook enjoys a dream-start to his first stint as 

captain with a well-crafted century on Day One

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Day Two

Moments of inspiration from the hosts on day two were overshadowed by another authoritative display by England. Cook was unable to reach his double-hundred (a statistic that continues to haunt England's batsmen) pulling a ball straight back to the bowler adding only 15 to his overnight score. But Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell ensured that the tourists posted a chunky 599 for 6 sharing a stand of 184 in 35 overs, Collingwood comfortably passing his hundred whilst Bell dug in for a well played 84.

Yet as bad as Bangladesh may be in the field they are a much improved side clasping the willow, batting very deep and boasting the audacious talent of Tamim Iqbal at the top of the order. And Tamim did not disappoint finishing the day on 81 not out, in which he punished anything a fraction short or wide and just about anything else that caught his eye. Unfortunately though support was hard to come by as Staurt Broad and Graeme Swann shared five wickets to restrict the Tigers to 154 for 5 at stumps, Mahmudullah, who with Tamim had threatened a sizeable partnership, unable to hold on until the close of play and was caught at slip trying to sweep Swann.

Paul Collingwood adds to Bangladesh's misery as he brings up his 10th Test hundred

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The enterprise showed by Tamim was an example to his fellow team mates but it seemed the counter attack remained a one man show as Bangladesh's top order refused to grind out an innings and give the opener any support. It was a similar scenario in the field, after a hammering on the first day spirits stayed nailed to the floor with shoddy work both in the outfield and behind the stumps. A team who in the recent one-day series had often found themselves on the cusp of an upset now appeared devoid of any hunger for victory and as the sun set in Chittagong it seemed their hopes of a win had all but vanished.

Day Three

England continued on their route to victory, but it was not all plain sailing as Bangladesh summoned some dogged resistance to persuade Cook not to enforce the follow on thanks to a superb 79 from Mushfiqur Rahim and a record eight-wicket stand of 113 with Naeem Islam. The dangerous Tamim Iqbal was unable to provide more entertainment for the home fans as Tim Bresnan produced a jaffa to remove the opener in the third over of the day, but as the heat intensified and the Bangladeshi batsman began to show some fight the follow on became less and less likely.

Mushfiqur Rahim frustrated the England with a gritty 79

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Naeem and Rahim frustrated the English attack for all of 39 overs with a mixture of assured clean-hitting and regimented defence, a sign of the raw potential of these yet-to-be-refined cricketers. The hole that Bangladesh had already dug for themselves meant however that these small and crucially infrequent victories lacked significance in the wider context of the match, as even a stuttering start to England's second innings meant that the tourists led by a titanic 434 at the end of day three, with five wickets remaining.

England having dismissed Bangladesh for 296 and not enforced the follow on looked to score runs quickly and in turn sacrificed wickets. Cook top-edging to deep square-leg, Carberry trapped in front by Razzak ending a poor debut for the Hampshire stroke-maker, and the loss of Pietersen and Collingwood squandered any momentum England may have began to create. Bangladesh continued to piss into the wind however and at the end of day three were still smelling not too sweet!

Day Four

Come day four and the overriding stench that lingered amongst the Bangladeshi players ever since the disastrous toss three days before was beginning to fade, and Siddique and Rahim produced a refreshing partnership late in the day to halt England's progress in the final session. Having had the hosts 110 for 5 before tea. Siddique spent four-and-a-half hours at the crease passing his fifty in that time to remain unbeaten on 68 overnight, whilst Rahim built on his 79 from the first innings and produced a mature knock albeit on a very flat deck, giving himself the opportunity to notch up a half-century on day five.

Earlier England had resumed on 154 for 5, both Matt Prior and Ian Bell still yet to score, and unsurprisingly it was Prior who was first to chance his arm dancing down the wicket to the captain Shakib Al-Hasan unable lure the ball to the middle of his bat and Shahadat Hossain steadied himself to take a regulation catch at mid on. Swann regained England's impetuous and his lively 32 from 25 balls marked the end of England's batting as Cook declared on 209 for 7, leaving Bangladesh 513 runs to win. With time possibly the more pressing issue Cook's declaration was certainly Strauss-esque in its conservatism, but with a rested bowling quartet ready to pounce on the 'minnows' of test cricket the safety of his captaincy was unlikely to come under great scrutiny.

England failed to find a cutting edge as Bangladesh 

forced the tourists into the final day in Chittagong

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Day Five

Graeme Swann was the talk of the town on day five as he recorded his first 10-wicket haul to send England to victory in the first test against Bangladesh, but not before Shakib's men showed tremendous resistance to fend off the English bowlers in front of their home fans at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Siddique and Rahim carried on where they had left off and managed to ensure a wicketless morning session, Siddique going on to make a marathon ton, eventually snuffed out by Swann for 106 having faced a titanic 292 balls.

The magnitude of Siddique's knock must not be underestimated however, and his century marked the fourth Bangladesh batsman to record a maiden century this year. He negotiated Finn and Broad well surviving a close LBW shout from the former, and after looking assured against Swann's flight and guile for so long succumbed moments after his milestone giving England the crucial breakthrough. Swann's unsavoury send-off was not what Siddique deserved and the Nottinghamshire spinner later apologised for his reaction.

Rahim's knock was equally as impressive and capped a magnificent match for the 21 year-old (with the bat at least!) but a rush of blood to the head saw him york himself charging a loopy delivery from Swann. Once the two danger men had been removed Bangladesh's lower order was exposed and Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad set aboutpicking up some cheap wickets as the hosts looked to take on the pacemen. And as the 'panther-like' Carberry gobbled up a tame chip from Naeem in the 115th over Swann had 10 and England had finally won!

Graeme Swann claims another victim on his way to a match-winning 10-wicket haul

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Graeme Swann rightfully took the man-of-the-match award for a match-winning effort with the ball on a surface rarely gave assistance to the bowlers, and honourable mentions must go to Cook and Collingwood who cashed in on some suspect Bangladeshi bowling on the first two days and produced fine hundreds to put England in charge from the very early on. Possibly the most intriguing element to the test match came in the resistance shown by the hosts. After almost two days in the heat watching England amass 599 declared there heads were well and truly buried in the sand but a more than useful batting line up produced some outstanding efforts, forcing England to bat again and wait until the final day to seal victory. Rahim and Siddique gave little away and provided a number of mini-victories for Bangladesh in the match but were not always backed up by their team mates and often lacked the killer instinct inherent in the world's top teams. But the future looks bright and if such mini-victories can become more frequent especially in the bowling department then the only way is up for Shakib's men.

Bangladesh v England, 3rd ODI, Chittagong

England 284 for 5 (Kieswetter 107) beat Bangladesh 239 for 9 (Aftab 46, Rahim 40, Bresnan 4-28) by 45 runs

England completed the much-expected whitewash over Bangladesh in Chittagong thanks to a mature maiden century from 22 year-old Craig Kieswetter. Often renowned amongst his fans at Somerset as a man eager to clear the ropes, Kieswetter instead provided much-needed solidity throughout England's innings, as his more experienced team mates failed to find any real fluency, the wicket-keeper-come-opener never allowed the hosts to settle into any rhythm and paved the way for a comfortable England victory.

Alastair Cook started brightly but again was undone by his opposite number Shakib Al Hasan, Cook trying to cut a flighted delivery only to feather an edgethrough to Mushfiqur Rahim who made no mistake. It seemed Kevin Pietersen had also failed to learn from his mistakes as Adbur Rassak once again trapped England's No. 3 in front despite a gigantic stride down the wicket. Paul collingwood and Eoin Morgan gave admirable support to Kieswetter both amassing 36, albeit Morgan's coming twice as quick, and as Luke Wright stepped up with only a handful of balls to go, he and Tim Bresnan took full advantage of England's dominant position and two fours and two sixes from the pint-sized pinch-hitter ensured the tourists finished with a sizeable 284 for 5 from their 50 overs.

Craig Kieswetter celebrates a wonderfully crafted hundred from 120 balls

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England's total was made to seem even more insurmountable as Yorkshire's 24 year-old Ajmal Shazhad removed the ever-explosive Tamim Iqbal in only his third ball in one-day cricket, the Bangladeshi opener slashing at a wide ball only to edge the ball to Tim Bresnan taking an athletic catch at third man. Bresnan was at the heart of the a action again now with the cherry in his hands, dismissing Imrul Kayes in the final ball of the first powerplay, wicket-keeper Matt Prior taking a superb catch diving forward to leave Bangladesh 40 for 2.

The hosts continued to battle admirably as Aftab Ahmed (46) and Mushfiqur Rahim (40) frustrated the England Attack. Unfortunately it was an error in communication that led to the breakthrough Ahmed glancing a ball from Graeme Swann straight to the man at square leg and charging to the other end where Mushfiqur was not interested, Ahmed left stranded halfway down. Five overs later and Mushfiqur was dismissed in almost equally disappointing circumstances, a well-timed sweep hit close enough to Bresnan at deep midwicket was gratefully gobbled up as the stocky Yorkshireman tumbled over the outfield.

Shakib Al-Hasan continued in the right spirit and was unlucky to have been adjudged LBW off the bowling of Pietersen, however by this point the rate was above ten runs per over and England managed to effectively restrict the likes of Suhrawadi Shuvo (11) and Naeem Islam (18) to ensure a 45 run victory.

Bresnan took the opportunity to notch up career best figures of 4 for 28, but it was Kieswetter who rightfully bagged the man-of-the-match award for setting up the whitewash. England had been effective but not clinical and at times the tourists were caught napping both with bat and ball. However some gritty individual displays coupled with Bangladesh's inability to hammer home an advantage proved the edge between these two sides.

Bangladesh v England, 2nd ODI, Mirpur

England 261 for 8 (Morgan 110*, Cook 60, Shakib 3-32, Razzak 3-52) beat Bangladesh 260 for 6 (Rahim 76, Kayes 63, Bresnan 3-51) by two wickets


After a relatively routine victory only days before England were subjected to a far greater examination in their second outing in Dhaka, and it fell to a steely Eoin Morgan to see the tourists home. Morgan was unflappable on his way to an unbeaten 110, and proved without doubt that his repertoire extended beyond cheeky reverse sweeps and spirited middle-order counter attacks.


England had failed to find a real cutting edge against the Tigers as Mushfiqur Rahim's wonderfully paced 76 paved the way for those around him as they posted a competitive 260 for 6 in their 50 overs. Rahim was ably supported by Imrul Kayes as he dropped anchor allowing for his more fluent partner to keep the board ticking. After Paul Collingwood completed a vintage catch to his right off the bowling of Graeme Swann the Bangladeshi batsman continued to frustrate the English attack.


Contributions down the order from Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, and Suhrawadi Shuvo meant that only Luke Wright, who was given a full nine overs as Stuart Broad struggled with injury, was able to keep his economy below 5 runs an over. So at the half-way stage many inside the Shere Bangla National Stadium may have felt that this was Bangladesh's chance to level the series and set up a decider in Chittagong, all that was required was some tight bowing and they were certainly in with sniff.

Morgan showed great versatility constructing a crucial century to save England from defeat.

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And the scent of victory wafted ever-nearer as Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen were dismissed in single figures, the former caught low in the slips after advancing down the pitch to Shafiul Islam, whilst KP was not for the first time undone by slow left arm spin, playing all round a ball fro Abdur Razzak only to be struck plumb on the back leg. Things went from bad to worse as Razzak claimed his second victim, Collingwood, so impressive in his last outing again trapped in front attempting a dubious sweep, and when the captain Alastair Cook trudged off for a well crafted, but ultimately inadequate 60 from 61 balls England were in serious doo-doo. Enter Eoin Morgan.


Morgan together with Matt Prior managed to restore some order to England's chase, and a partnership of 90 swung the pendulum firmyl back in the tourists's favour. Even a lacklustre lower order display from the likes of Wright and Tim Bresnan could do little to deter Morgan who moved gracefully onto his maiden ODI century in England colours. The Bangladeshi bowlers had no answer to Morgan's ability to hit all round the wicket and alongside débutante James Tredwell England got over the line with an unlikely 7 balls to spare.


The dogged Irishman was rightfully handed the man-of-the-match for his efforts, and applauded by his team mates as he left the field. each and every one of them breathing a sigh of relief as on another day it could have been a very different story.

Bangladesh v England, 1st ODI, Dhaka

England 229 for 4 (Collingwood 75*, Cook 64) beat Bangladesh 228 (Tamim 125, Swann 3-32) by six wickets

As the most improved team in world cricket, Bangladesh may have fancied forcing an upset against a sub-strength England side captained by Alastair Cook, whose inability to whack the ball out of park has left him as an inconsistent pick in England's opening pair in the one-day game. Alas it was not to be!

Cook called correctly and put Bangladesh into bat, and for 9.2 overs it seemed Cook's first decision as captain had been a poor one. And with Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, implying that the pitch would remain low throughout, the visitors seemed to a have a real scrap on their hands. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 63 for the first wicket, Tamim showing real intent smashing seven fours and two humongous sixes off Ryan Sidebottom and then Stuart Broad, before Bresnan delivered a wily slower ball that found the wrong edge of Kayes's bat and was gratefully caught at mid on by Luke Wright.

Tamim continued to manipulate the English attack but two wickets from Broad in successive overs kept England right in it. Junaid Siddique gave his wicket away as Broad threw down some leg-side filth only for the Bangladeshi number three to mistime a shot straight to debutant Keiswetter at square leg. Aftab Ahmed was next to depart thanks to some stellar work from Pietersen, picking the ball up at mid on and sending the ball underarm into the stumps. His fielding has really become an integral part of his game, only two matches ago he produced a fine pick up and throw down to run out Imran Farhat and this is the man who could not catch for love or money in the Ashes winning summer of 2005. Newcomers to the game would have no idea that KP ever struggled with a part of the game that he now seems excel in. Bravo!

Nostalgia aside, Bangladesh continued in the same vain throughout the 'middle overs'. Tamim putting aside the failings of his fellow team mates, remaining impervious at the crease. Hasan provided brief company at the other end only to walk past a ripper from the 'Chin' Graeme Swann, whilst Mushfiqur Rahim was slightly more effective partnering Tamim for a full ten overs only to be run out in an embarrassing fiasco of miscommunication, a moment worthy of Owais Shah's scrapbook!

At 146 for 5 Bangladesh were in danger of falling well short of a competitive total and it did not get any better as 146 for 5 became 146 for 6, Swann finding more turn on a responsive surface and England profiting from another leading edge gobbled up at midwicket. However 63 from from ten and a half overs saw the hosts build a healthy platform for the crucial final ten, and Tamim well set they looked set for a sizeable total. England's seamers though kept plugging away and when Tamim went for a gutsy 125 the innings collapsed.

The tenth wicket of Abdur Razzaq lobbed tamely to captain Cook at mid-off, off the bowling of Sidebottom put the innings in perspective. It was a shame Tamim was never given the support he deserved, and his 125 was a rare moment of quality in an error-filled and an unintelligent batting effort from the home side. Swann maintained his fantastic form, tweaking out 3 victims for a mere 32 in his ten overs, whilst the pace attack shared five between them, their figures flattered by some wasteful batting, no seamer really showing the lethal touch that was required.

Having crumbled late on Bangladesh failed to bat out the 50 overs and finished 228 all out in 45.4 overs. All Cooks' men had to do was bat sensibly and victory would be assured. A straightforward task - Surely?

The 'Fortress' stands tall once again for England in their successful run chase

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England began timidly and were punished early on, Craig Keiswetter walking past one from Islam, and cleared up by Rahim behind the stumps, whilst Pietersen continued his poor form edging low to slip, and the 'captain Cook' was trapped unfortunately LBW also by the guile of Islam. Yet even with three premier scalps in under 20 overs, the Bangladeshi total still looked well within England's grasp.

And it was under the sturdy hand of 'the fortress' (my own nickname for the great man) Paul Collingwood that England cruised home to a six-wicket victory, and Bangladesh were unable to complete their first ever victory over the visitors. Colly played a mature innings amassing 75 not out from 100 balls, with 7 ugly, but important boundaries - his calmness and professionalism, much like Tamim only hours before, shone out in an shaky England batting and bowling performance that would have not likely held up against stronger opposition.

Tamim rightly took the man of the match award, but it came as little consolation as Bangladesh failed to capitalise on his stellar work. England's first victory under Alastair Cook resulted in a typically Cook-esque game - devoid of consistency and flair, but instead just doing enough to cross the line.