England now dominant force in Ashes cricket

The Financial Times have put together some intriguing Ashes statistics this week and have come to the welcome conclusion that we are, after a 14-year wait, finally reentering a period of England dominance.

Take a look:

According to the FT: "This chart shows both countries’ Ashes performance since the contest began in the late 19th century. With an England Test match win scoring 1, an Australian win scores 0, and draws scored as 0.5, it shows the rolling 20-match total. That’s four Ashes series, more or less (some early series didn’t contain five matches)."

Source: http://blogs.ft.com/ftdata/2013/07/19/english-cricket-on-the-up/

England announce squad for Pakistan series

England have announced a sixteen man squad to take on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Stuart Broad, Eoin Morgan and Chris Tremlett have all recovered from injury and are included, whilst Monty Panesar is selected as second spinner. Ravi Bopara keeps his place after replacing the injured Jonathan Trott against India, and Steven Davies returns as Matt Prior's understudy. Tim Bresnan remains the only doubt having recently undergone elbow surgery.

Perhaps most surprising is the inclusion of Panesar who has not played for England since the first Test of the 2009 Ashes series. Since then Graeme Swann has gone on to establish himself as both England's and the world's premier offspin bowler, however with trips to Sri Lanka and India later in the year England are clearly keen to once again integrate Panesar into their plans. His chances of playing against Pakistan remain slim though with Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower likely to maintain the tried and tested six batsman, four bowlers ratio that worked so effectively this year.

Ravi Bopara will also likely find himself on the sidelines at least initially as England's batsman aim to continue what was a prolific year with the willow in hand. Having fought off competition from the likes of James Taylor and Johnny Bairstow, Bopara has done well to at least keep himself in the England setup, although he will have to make a marked improvement on his last outing in the subcontinent (Sri Lanka, 2007) if he is to remain in the picture in 2012.

With a cloud still hanging over Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn  and Chris Tremlett will also be looking to stake their claim for a recall in the two three-day warm up matches before the first Test on January 16.

Andy Flower named coach of the year

England team director Andy Flower has been named UK Coach of the Year at the 2011 UK coaching awards.

Flower was also named UK High Performance Coach of the Year after a year of unprecedented success for the England cricket team. In partnership with captain Andrew Strauss Flower oversaw an historic 3-1 Ashes victory in Australia as well as a 4-0 whitewash of India as England finished the summer as the world's number one Test playing nation.


ECB Chief Executive David Collier was quick to recognise Flower's contribution."Andy has been an outstanding coach to the England cricket team and I am delighted that his dedication, knowledge and all-round leadership skills have been recognised within the wider sporting world."

"The last twelve months have been momentous ones for England and this is in no small part due to Andy's personal drive and determination to bring the best out of his players and ensure that our preparation and performance are second to none."

Retirement

Flower has also recently suggested that he may well not be coaching England by the time of the next World Cup in 2015 but is dedicated to leaving a long-term legacy to ensure England maintain their status as the world's best team.

The Zimbabwean signed an improved rolling contract with the ECB last summer but admits that family commitments may one day force him to step down.

"That [2015 World Cup] would be the ideal scenario but I have a young family and it is a full-time job, more so in some respects,” Flower said. “You don’t know what is around the corner. In my present position I will definitely keep planning towards that [2015] sort of longevity but realistically I don’t know."

Flower is currently enjoying a three month break from cricket before England travel to the United Arab Emirates in January to play Pakistan but is already focusing his attention on challenges ahead. “To remain No 1 is a serious challenge for us."


"We aimed for No 1 Test ranking and that was a great motivational tool for us. Now we have achieved that other sides will be doing the chasing and we have to reset our standards. We have underperformed in the 50-over game.


"The next World Cup is in Australia in 2015 and that is one of the specific challenges we have. For Andrew Strauss and myself, we want to put in place a method of operation and certain principles that will stand English cricket in very good stead in the long term."

The problem with Test cricket

After an astonishing climax to last week’s second, and regrettably final, Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers, and an equally enthralling finale to the drawn Test match between India and the West Indies, a common and frankly unsettling debate has once again bubbled to the surface: is Test cricket really dying? On the evidence of that historic day in Johannesburg or those final moments in Mumbai certainly not, but aside from these extraordinary, yet increasingly rare, moments of clarity in which the future of Test cricket looks safely intact, the situation is otherwise rather more uncertain.

Exposure

One thing that perhaps all cricket fans and commentators can agree on is that there is too much cricket. As the only major Test playing nation in the northern hemisphere it is perhaps an issue more familiar to those who follow English cricket, but with the influx of the unnecessarily long IPL and a multitude of television commitments to adhere to it is a concern for cricket the world over. Most saddening is that Test cricket suffers more than most.

What people fail to realise is that Test cricket is completely and utterly unique from all other forms of cricket. The skills shown in a Twenty20 are not likely to offer much in a Test match, and whilst the 50 over game mirrors Test match batting more adequately, the defensive and restrictive nature of bowling often found in a one day game does little to prepare a bowler for the rigours of a five day match.

"We do play too much cricket and if something had to give my choice would be 50-over cricket, or make it 40-over cricket or something.” Graeme Swann

A greater focus on limited overs cricket does almost nothing to support Test cricket and its increasing presence on the world stage may well be slowly bringing the game’s legendary format to its knees. Knocking 40 off 30 balls or bowling ten overs in a day is so far removed from the intensity of Test cricket that it is no surprise that interest in the game appears to have waned. Players regularly turn up undercooked and often cannot complete a Test match because they’re exposure to ‘tough’ cricket has been so infrequent.

For cricket as a sport to succeed and remain an entertaining and enthralling battle between bat and ball Test cricket must remain at the helm. Test cricket serves as the benchmark for all other cricketing ventures. It teaches bowlers to work out their opponents, how to bowl aggressively and to savour an opponent’s wicket. It tests a batsman’s technique, temperament and ability to protect their wicket at all times. These are treasured and essential skills in cricket; skills that if Test cricket was to lose its authority would soon find themselves absent from the game and would ultimately destroy the very fabric of the sport.

Competition

In order for Test cricket to reclaim its rightful place at the top of the sport it must more than anything else remain competitive. This does not necessarily mean ensuring a result after five days, a draw is often the fairest outcome and saving a Test match can be riveting viewing, but ensuring that along the way there is an even and exciting battle between bat and ball and that ultimately those players who step out on the field are tested.

One obvious tweak is to produce more interesting wickets. Clearly the surface must be safe and ideally last four or five days, but watching batsmen (usually Indian’s in India) churn out scores of 500 plus every innings, bagging a century each in the process, is just plain boring. Cricket’s old boys are forever harping on about a lack of fast bowling talent and genuine world class wicket takers, yet whilst we do not wish to gift bowler’s wickets they don’t deserve, one reason for such complaints may not be simply a lack of talent but rather the sheer volume of cricket and the unresponsive surfaces on which it is played.

"In the English summer the pitches had a little bit in them for the bowlers but if you bat well enough you can score big runs which we did. Organisers are going to want five days of cricket for the gate receipts but at the same time people want to see exciting cricket so the pitches need to be result pitches."  James Anderson

Crucially competitive wickets attract that rare breed of fan – the neutral. Sure any England fan doesn’t mind watching the Aussies loose by an innings and 50 runs, but to a South African such a one-sided result offers little in the way of unbiased entertainment. Rewind to 2005 and you find a series that encapsulated the entire cricketing community. Why? Because the series was played on a knife edge. So thrilling was the narrative that even non-cricket fans found themselves glued to the television or queuing for miles outside Lords just to get a taste of the action.

What was unique about that series however, and in fact every other series between England and Australia, was its context, something clearly devoid from almost all non-Ashes cricket. Take the English Premier League. Its competitive nature and increasing rivalries between clubs and their fans keeps this multi-million pound industry thriving year after year. Cricket does not have this. The news that the planned Test Championship, that would see the top eight Test playing nations compete against one another in a knockout style competition, is to be postponed until at least 2017 is certainly tragic but its conception alone (which I applaud) suggests something is rotten in Test match cricket.

Cook and Strauss in all male SPA shortlist

England captain Andrew Strauss and vice-captain Alastair Cook have been shortlisted for the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Strauss and Cook have been integral to a magnificent year for English cricket. A thumping victory in the Ashes down under was followed by an equally impressive 4-0 whitewash of India on home soil this summer, a result that meant England would begin 2012 as the world's no. 1 Test team.

After a poor run of form in the summer of 2010 Cook was a man under pressure, but with 766 runs in five Ashes Tests and 294 against India this summer - the sixth highest score by an Englishman and the best since Graham Gooch's 333 against the same apposition in 1990 - the elegant Essex opener proved he was here to stay.

He was duly rewarded with the One Day captaincy and went on to preside over series victories against Sri Lanka and India, all the while contributing handsomely at the top of the order. A 5-0 defeat in India at the back end of the summer reminded Cook that captaincy could not be taken for granted, but having overcome obstacles in his short career so far it would be no surprise if Cook returned with aplomb in 2012.

As Test captain however Andrew Strauss's success has almost been untainted this year. Unbeaten in their last nine series Strauss has given England the kind of stability and calm that they needed after the disastrous series in the West Indies in 2008.

In 2011 Strauss masterminded an astonishing Ashes victory in Australia and helped England to their first whitewash over India since 1974. In partnership with Andy Flower, Strauss has helped mould England into a prolific and highly professional unit who will once again be looking to assert their authority over world cricket when they face Pakistan and Sri Lanka this winter.

England v Australia, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Final, Bridgetown

England 148 for 3 (Kieswetter 63, Pietersen 47) beat Australia 147 for 6 (D Hussey 59) by seven wickets


On 16th May 2010 England recorded their first ever ICC global title with a comprehensive seven wicket victory over Australia. Despite another accomplished all-round display by Paul Collingwood's versatile bunch, it was England's bowlers that proved the deciding factor, who after 13 legitimate deliveries had already three of the Australian top order. David Hussey did his best to propel his side to a competitive score with 59 from 54 balls but, as Michael Clarke later conceded, 147 for 6 was always 25 runs short and England made their opponents pay, reaching Austalia's target with three overs to spare.

It was Ryan Sidebottom, to some a surprise pick at the beginning of the tournament, who inspired England's opening burst with the ball. His two wickets saw Australia slump to 8 for 3, removing Shane Watson with the third delivery of the match and after Michael Lumb had ran out David Warner for two the over before, was lucky to bag the wicket of Brad Haddin who was adjudged caught behind off his hip - albeit a mighty fine catch by a gazelle-like Craig Kieswetter.

England did well to keep the pressure on the Aussies opting to keep the ball full, persisting with a good old-fashioned line and length forcing the opposition batsmen to work for every last run. Not until the fifth over did Australia register their first boundary and with the score reading 34 for 3 after seven overs England turned to their pair of ever-reliable spinners Messrs Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy who have proved a constant burden on batsmen's strike-rates throughout the tournament.

When Collingwood plucked an attempted flick from Clarke expertly out of the air at short midwicket it appeared England's ploy to take pace off the ball was a successful one, but Cameron White, arguably one of the most improved cricketers in the last few years, had other ideas. He decided to spark Australia's innings into life in the 13th over, Yardy's third, with a six, four and six in successive deliveries, ruining Sussex off-spinner's tidy figures and transforming Australia's innings, lifting his side to 80 for 4. White was now on a roll and two fours in consecutive overs saw him quickly amass 29 from 17 balls. Collingwood was forced to react and gave Luke Wright the nod, a man yet to bowl a ball in the competition.

Targeting the yorker with every delivery Wright was soon rewarded as White lost his patience and slashed outside off-stump only to loft the ball to Stuart Broad at point who maneuvered himself well to take the catch. The less enterprising Hussey brothers joined forces to inject some last-minute fraternal fury into the innings nurdling 47 runs from 22 balls for the sixth wicket. Australia finished their 20 overs on 147 for 6, a total that would have proved more-than-competitive in previous matches, but was always going to short on a very forgiving track at Bridgetown.

Craig Keiswetter claimed the Man of the Match Award 

for his superb half century

England in reply lost Lumb early, but much like they had done against South Africa in the Super Eights, Collingwood's men were not deterred, and within the blink of an eye Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter went about putting the game beyond doubt with a second wicket partnership of 111. 

The renewed freedom in Pietersen's batting after his return to the competition for the semi-final against Sri Lanka was again evident. After Kieswetter had creamed consecutive fours off the bowling of Dirk Nannes and a third off Shaun Tait to lift England to 41 for 1 in the Powerplay, KP joined in the fun.

It was young legspinner Steven Smith who was first to feel the force of Pietersen's blade hit for a boundary four before Kieswetter collected two fours in-a-row off a particularly wayward Watson over. As Watson continued to struggle Clarke was forced to chop and change frequently. In desperate need of a break through Tait was finally brought into the attack to try and liven things up but Pietersen, as he so often does against the fiercest competitors greeted the Aussie quickie with a magisterial lofted drive over mid on for four and then added insult to injury making room to drive a sensational six over extra cover to take England's required run-rate ominously under six runs an over.

Kieswetter soon brought up his half-century from 40 balls punishing Nannes not for the first time with an audacious one-handed six over backward square leg. Kapes was unable to join his partner on 50 charging Smith only to haul out to Warner in the deep. but with seven overs remaining and only 30 runs required England were still well and truly in the driving seat.

Despite the loss of Kieswetter whose impact on the tournament has been phenomenal, Eoin Morgan and captain Collingwood sealed the deal in style. England had finally won an international limited overs competition and made it look easy.

Paul Collingwood makes his mark on England's

 first ever World Cup silverware

England v Sri Lanka, ICC World Twenty20 2010, 1st Semi-Final, Gros Islet

England 132 for 3 (Pietersen 42*) beat Sri Lanka 128 for 6 (Mathews 58, Broad 2-21) by seven wickets 


In arguably their most commanding performance to date, England went about destroying the 2009 beaten finalists Sri Lanka in an almost perfect display from start to finish. Paul Collingwood lost the toss and was thrown the ball first up, a decision that did little to deter England who, bar a dogged half-century from Angelo Matthews, managed to restrict Sri Lanka  to a less-than-competitive 128 for 6 from their 20 overs. In response England reached their target with four overs to spare courtesy of some powerful batting from the opening pair of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb, who set the stage for Kevin Pietersen, having returned to the Caribbean following the birth of his first son, to top score with an unbeaten 42 from 26 balls.

Sri Lanka's day did not start well as their decision to bat first on a tacky surface with moisture in the air proved a mistake. Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad both struck with their first balls, Sri Lanka limping to 88 for 3 in the Powerplay. Sanath Jayasuriya edged a classic Sidebottom out-swinger to the England skipper at second slip, before Broad bagged the vital wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. The Sri Lankan opener proved only weeks ago that he is no mug with the bat in the shorter format of the game amassing a titanic amount of runs in the IPL opening the batting for the King's Punjab XI, and so Broad's clever cross-seam tempter that graced the edge of Jayawardene's bat was consequently a master-stroke of Twenty20 bowling. 

At the finale of the Powerplay overs, and right on time, England's spin twins Yardy and Swann were called upon to stymie the run flow as the field opened up. Pressure soon told though with Yardy holding his lines expertly and Swann looking to take the attack to the opposition, and it was Kumar Sangakkara who eventually lost his patience with the Swann, drawn into playing at a beautifully looped delivery only to hole out to K.P at mid-off.

It was only Matthews that managed to not get bogged down by a highly-disciplined England bowling unit. He brought up his half-century from 41 balls, but even as he creamed 17 from Tim Bresnan's last over in rare episode of intent with the willow in hand, even he could not rescue Sri Lanka from slumping to a sub-standard 128 for 6.

The dangerous Mahela Jayawardene is sent back to the 

dressing room after falling to Stuart Broad's first delivery of the day

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

In an attempt to peg England back Sri Lanka opted to open with the spin of Tillakaratne Dilshan ans Ajantha Mendis, who duly obstructed the England openers to just six runs in two overs. But when Suraj Randiv was called upon, Kieswetter got stuck in with two trademark inside-out slogs over the covers from consecutive balls and the innings was on its way.


Michael Lumb joined Kieswetter in an opening stand of 68 in eight overs for the first wicket. having ridden their luck somewhat, the dynamic duo made the Sri Lankan spinners pay! Kieswetter clattering successive fours to bring up the end of the Powerplay overs, and the old left-arm of Jayasuriya was also met with some disdain, both men exchanging sixes in the spinner's first and last over.


With Kieswetter back in the shed thanks to a well directed yorker from Lasith Malinga, Lumb continued to chance his arm and should have joined his opening partner far sooner than he did were it not for some ill-discipline by the opposition fielders. In the end his 33 from 26 deliveries proved decisive in crushing Sri Lankan spirits and the result soon became inevitable.


With their heads on the floor the men in blue and yellow still had time to endure a timely onslaught from a jet-lagged Kevin Pietersen. But as Pietersen brushed off the talcum powder and donned the gloves it appeared that any off-field activities had only inspired him further, picking up where he left off against South Africa, he played with no-inhibitions whatsoever and remained unbeaten as his team crossed the line with time to spare.  

England v New Zealand, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Group E, Gros Islet

England 153 for 7 (Morgan 40) beat New Zealand 149 for 6 (Taylor 44) by three wickets 


Having booked their place in the semi-finals before bowling a single ball thanks to Pakistan's earlier victory over South Africa, England could have been forgiven for taking their foot off the gas against New Zealand. But such is their confidence at the moment that even in the absence of Kevin Pietersen who flew home for the birth of his child after the last game, England were still able to outmanoeuvre a New Zealand side in need of a win if they were to progress further in the tournament.


England's performances in this years World Twenty20 are beginning to follow a pattern. With such an array of bowling options at Paul Collingwood's disposal, England's ability to stem the flow of runs has become unrivalled in the competition so far. This combined with a refreshingly liberal approach to the crucial Powerplay overs has seen England come into their own in the most unlikely of formats.


Tim Bresnan is a fine example of the balance to England's set-up at present. After a tight first spell of 1 for 20 in four consecutive overs restricting the Kiwis to 39 for 1 from the first six overs, it would later be Bresnan who would finish things off for his team with a brisk 23 from 11 balls.


Brendan McCullum, who survived Bresnan's impeccable line and length first up, tried to remain positive but England's spin duo of Graeme Swan and Michael Yardy had other ideas. They managed to frustrate the New Zealand opener with some well-disciplined spin bowling and it was not long before the pressure got to McCullum, stepping down the wicket to Swann lofting the ball into the clouds only to be caught by Michael Lumb on the boundary edge, departing for 33 from 32 balls.


Slumping to 68 for 3 from 11 overs and with their tournament hopes at stake, New Zealand needed a positive response and it came from Scott Styris and Ross Taylor who added 62 in 41 balls to give their side a fighting chance. As the innings drew to a close New Zealand looked to clear the ropes and consequently lost wickets. Styris caught at deep cover, and after only two legitimate deliveries Kiwi keeper Gareth Hopkins was clean bowled for 1. Taylor almost remained until the finale but skied a Ryan Sidebottom delivery to deep midwicket where Bresnan took a comfortable catch. His 44 however was the stand out innings as New Zealand posted 149 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Michael Lumb set the tone of the England innings blasting his team to 57 for 1 from the Powerplay overs

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

With Pietersen at home awaiting the birth of his baby boy it was up to England's new-look opening pair of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb to keep above the run-rate - no problem! Kieswetter belted a four and a six in the first over bowled by Nathan McCullum, but soon departed for 15. Whilst Lumb took advantage of Shane Bond's extra yard of pace smashing 19 of his first two overs, including a plethora of enterprising boundaries. Kieswetter and Lumb's efforts saw England power to 57 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay overs, 18 runs better than their opponents at the same stage.


In dire need of control, Daniel Vettori brought himself on in tandem with Styris, and the wily twosome pegged England back at least momentarily. Styris struck first dismissing Ravi Bopara and three balls later it was Vettori's turn, having been smashed for 11 off his first over by Lumb, the spectacled slow left-armer had his revenge drawing the batsman into a mistimed sweep shot with a flighted delivery that trapped him plumb in front for 32. Paul Collingwood completed New Zealand's fightback with a typical nurdle to a Styris cutter that was gobbled up by Brendan McCullum at midwicket.


However, despite Vettori and Styris's best efforts, once again Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright combined to put together a match-altering partnership. A stand of 52 from 38 balls between the youthful pair guided England to within sight of the finishing line on 117 for 4 with a full seven overs to come. The re-introduction of Bond proved too much for Wright, and soon enough Morgan was dismissed for 40 from 34 balls to diving Vettori at midwicket. But even the swift loss of Michael Yardy could not save the Kiwis, as Bresnan proved his credentials as an all-rounder hitting the winning runs and securing a three wicket victory. 

England v South Africa, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Group E, Bridgetown

England 168 for 7 (Pietersen 53, Botha 2-15) beat South Africa 129 (Duminy 39, Sidebottom 3-23) by 39 runs


England overcame their sternest test of the competition to date with a 39-run victory over South Africa in Barbados on Thursday thanks once again to an audacious half-century from Kevin Pietersen. Graeme Smith would have been confident of restricting England to a small total with the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel eager to run in on a pitch that promised both pace and bounce. Instead Smith completely misread conditions allowing England to post a formidable 168 for 7 with Paul Collingwood's versatile bowling line-up then able to use conditions to their advantage.


Over the past twelve months England have continued to frustrate South Africa in limited overs cricket. Success in the Proteas's back-garden at the end of 2009, and a win in the second warm-up match of the World Twenty20 has seen Smith's men unable to get a strangle hold on England, especially with Pietersen in the starting eleven! The South African-born stroke-maker has often saved his best for bouts with his home-country and today was no exception. A second wicket partnership of 94 with Craig Kieswetter highlighted Smith's miscalculation of conditions.  Rarely has Dale Steyn been dispatched to all parts of the ground so readily in recent years. Between himself and fellow paceman Morkel they conceded a unprecedented 90 runs in their combined eight overs. 


Surprisingly it was not Smith's choice to field a pace-heavy attack that came as his greatest misjudgement of the day. Prior to Pietersen and Kieswetter's match-winning partnership, Johan Botha had been chosen to open up for South Africa. As it turned out it was a master-stroke by Smith, Botha striking in his very first over trapping Michael Lumb plumb in front. Smith's downfall came though in his decision not to retain the spinner, and it was not until the twelfth over that Botha returned only to break the Pietersen-Kieswetter partnership ad leave the South African skipper a certain shade of red.


Charl Langeveldt saved further blushes with some outstanding death bowling, inspiring Morkel to recover his figures somewhat as England finished on 168 for 7, Botha bagging figures of 2 for 15 from his four overs.


South Africa's chase began far more circumspectly, Jacques Kallis and captain Smith choosing to gently rotate the strike rather than take advantage of the fielding restrictions. Tim Bresnan was allowed to get into his rhythm courtesy of the two openers lack of enterprise and soon struck, Kallis driving loosely to Pietersen at mid-off in the fifth over. South Africa's miserly continued when Michael Yardy was given the nod and dismissed Herschelle Gibbs with his first delivery. Crucially though Colly had learnt from Smith's mistake, and armed with two experienced  spinners the duo went about unravelling South Africa's middle order. Graeme Swann joining forces with Yardy to take five wickets between them.

Jacques Kallis wears one as South Africa are 

punished for a remarkably sedate start to their run-chase

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

At 53 for 5 South Africa's task was likely to be too steep, but Ryan Sidebottom was not content to keep it tight, and following a sublime catch in the deep to remove the dangerous Gibbs he managed to pick up three wickets in his final two overs to bowl the Proteas out for 129 and complete an emphatic England victory. South Africa's one-dimensional approach with both bat and ball was an example of the versatility required to succeed in Twenty20 cricket - versatility luckily that England seem to have in abundance! 

England v Pakistan, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Group E, Bridgetown

England 151 for 4 (Pietersen 73, Ajmal 2-18) beat Pakistan 147 for 9 (Butt 34, Yardy 2-19) by 6 wickets


With a frustrating group stage behind them, and more importantly not a rain-cloud in sight, normal service resumed chiefly thanks to Kevin Pietersen who clattered a 52-ball 72 not-out batting with the kind of authority and enterprise he is famed for.


England won the toss and having decided to bowl first were immediately forced onto the back-foot. Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez began brilliantly with the bat guiding Pakistan to 44 for 1 after the six Powerplay overs, and after England's spinners failed to make inroads it was the reigning champions who found themselves handily placed at 79 for 1 at the halfway stage. However momentum was short-lived as England's spinners swung the pendulum back in their favour with three key wickets in only eight deliveries, including Shahid Afridi who ran himself out for a first-call duck.


It became the turning point of the innings as The Green Machine went on to loose a further five wickets in the hope of posting a challenging total. The ever-promising Umar Akmal threatened with 30 from 25 balls before K.P took a brilliant catch only millimetres from the boundary edge to end his charge - a moment of inspiration that was to kick-start a triumphant day for Pietersen. Some shoddy work in the field from England meant Pakistan climbed from 120 for 7 to 147 for 9 in the final 2.4 overs, but it remained ultimately a disappointing total after an assured start, and Collingwood was no doubt the happier of the two captains at the break.


Chasing 148 to win Pakistan almost reigned England back in, and was it not for a plethora of schoolboy fielding it may it may have been a far nervier affair. Unfortunately it was Saeed Ajmal who bore much of the criticism, fumbling catches not once, not twice, but three times in the opening overs of England's innings. Twice he dropped Craig Kieswetter at mid-on and once Michael Lumb at mid-off. Salt was then shovelled into Ajmal's wounds as he watched the England openers boss their way to a stand of 44 in 5.4 overs. From there on in Pakistan struggled to find a cutting-edge, unable to put prolonged pressure on England's middle order.


Ajmal redeemed himself somewhat when he drew Lumb down the pitch to have him stumped on 25, and soon after Hafeez had Kieswetter caught for a less aggressive 25 by the more assured clasp of Umar Akmal. But crucially Afridi's boys failed to contain England's No. 3.


Having rode his luck early on it was a relief to all England fans to see Pietersen back to his relentless best. His timely assault on Afridi, Pakistan's failed aggressor, creaming two sixes on his way to a 37-ball half-century allowed the likes of Collingwood to work the ball into the gaps and watch from the non-striker's end as his towering team-mate made light work of a hapless all-round display in the field from their opponents.

A welcome return to form for Kevin Pietersen ensured 

England's first victory of the tournament

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

Pietersen remained unbeaten as England comfortably reached their target with the loss of only four wickets. Pakistan on the other hand may have been wondering what could have been after a late revival in their innings saw them post a total that was more-than-defendable. However a sloppy effort in the field cost them dearly and with England's most ferocious lion smelling blood Pakistan were always chasing the game.

England v Ireland, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Group D, Providence

England 120 for 8 (Morgan 45) v Ireland 14 for 1 - match abandoned


Having been robbed of an opening victory against the hosts a mere 24 hours beforehand, England fans would have been hoping that Paul Collingwood and his new-look Twenty20 outfit could shun the disappointment of the night before, and instead build upon what was an authoritative performance with the bat. Sadly it was not be, and in a deserved reversal of fortune it was the weather that this time came to rescue England and send them narrowly through to the Super Eights.


Be it the complacency that so often comes as favourites, or a knock in confidence over the last day, England were a mere shadow of the enterprising team that had outclassed a far more intimidating West Indies bowling unit only a game ago. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb were unable to inject a similar impetus to the start of the innings -  Lumb undone by a tame leg-side long-hop, an identical delivery to that which he had sent crashing to the boundary twice in the previous over, only to be caught out by Boyd Rankin at short backward square from the first ball of Kevin O Brien's spell. Moreover, Kieswetter in an effort to force the pace was rightfully sent back by Kevin Pietersen attempting a suicidal single, only to be given out by the third umpire.


Pietersen was made to endure another failure thanks to his perpetual nemesis - left-arm spin! 17-year-old tweaker George Dockrell, obviously having done his homework on the flamboyant No. 3, was able to practically replicate K.P's dismissal against the West Indies. England's innings at the halfway mark was floundering at 49 for 4, and it was up to Eoin Morgan, an Irishmen in English colours, to help his adopted nation post a worthy total against his motherland. The prospect of scoring runs against Ireland appeared to inspire Morgan and he went on to top score with a gritty 45 in England's decidedly mediocre 120 for 8. Unable to find willing partners, Morgan's own brand of inventive opportunism forced the Irish bowlers out of rhythm with cuts and sweeps aplenty.

Eoin Morgan found some much-needed inspiration against his former team-mates

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

Amongst England's stuttering efforts with the bat Trent Johnston proved his worth as the spearhead in Ireland's wily attack. On a sluggish pitch in Providence Johnston bagged four scalps whilst only leaking a paltry 14 runs in his four over spell and a solitary boundary off the bat of Michael Lumb. His ability to hit a length on demand proved frustrating for England who notoriously prefer pace on the ball. Johnston's team mates backed him up ably, and as England closed in on 20 overs it was the Lions tail-end that were left desperately fighting to put precious runs on the board.


Ireland's miserliness with the cherry in hand meant England, who had witnessed the Irish bowling effort from the pavilion, would have to be right on the money from ball one. Tim Bresnan and Ryan Sidebottom steadied early nerves conceding only four runs from eight deliveries before the rain arrived and a 30-minute delay ensued. Four balls after the resumption Paul Stirling was removed for a duck, but Niall O'Brien then smashed two fours in a row to improve Ireland's chances of a favourable Duckworth-Lewis calculation.


As it was the players did not return to the field and England escaped humiliation, progressing to the Super Eights courtesy of their superior run-rate. Paul Collingwood will be hoping that this remains only a minor hiccup on their road to bagging a first trophy in their World Cup history. With his side obviously dripping with potential, Colly's men will certainly need to turn up the heat as they look to take on the reigning champions in Barbados in two days time. 

England v West Indies, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Group D, Providence

West Indies 60 for 2 (Gayle 25) beat England 191 for 5 (Morgan 55, Wright 45*) - D/L method

Messrs Duckworth and Lewis caused major controversy in England's rain-affected opening group game of the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 against West Indies at Providence, with England robbed of what appeared to be a likely victory. Having amassed 191 for 5, arguably their finest batting display in the history of the format, West Indies were set a revised, and frankly less-than-challenging 60 from 6 overs which Chris Gayle and company knocked off just in the knick of time. The tourists were dealt a cruelly ironic blow having travelled halfway around the world hoping to escape  a typically English start to the summer it seemed the rain-clouds had followed them across the Atlantic and England were ultimately undone by an all-too-familiar foe.


Credit though must go to Gayle who took full advantage of the surprisingly fortunate position his team found themselves in, and his timely assault on England's opening bowlers proved decisive for the host-nation. Ryan Sidebottom was milked for 15 runs from an opening over in which the shaggy-haired Nottinghamshire seamer beat the outside edge three times and even caught the splice of the willow, only to sacrifice his line and length to Gayle who obliged with a four and a six in succession. Shivnarine Chanderpaul ably assisted his captain sweeping Graeme Swann for six seeing his team to 30 from 2.2 overs, and effectively ending England's hopes of a victory.

England's nemesis comes back to haunt them in their opening fixture

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Earlier a new-look England team had produced a truly refreshing display of limited overs batting. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb (fresh from the IPL) provided aggression from ball one, with scores of 26 from 14 and 28 from 18 respectively, their only failure was that they did not go on to make substantial contributions. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen were less fluent as Nikita Miller and Darren Sammy were able to put a brief strangle hold on the England charge.


The turning point of the match came at the halfway point. With the score reading 88 for 4 Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright found themselves together at the crease, and after five overs of careful accumulation the shackles were broken in the final five. Kieron Pollard's figures were demolished by the Sussex pinch-hitter, smashing one over - including two sixes. Morgan was equally impressive as he dealt with Dwayne Bravo creaming a four straight down the ground, before sweeping him over backward square leg for six, as the 50 partnership came up in 6.5 overs.


Wright and Morgan were not done yet and Ravi Rampaul who had leaked 25 runs in his first 2 overs was then blasted to all parts for 27 from his third and final over - the destructive duo sharing three sixes in the over. Morgan went on to bring up his half-century from a meagre 32 balls, finally succumbing to Pollard four balls from the end. Wright however continued to dominate and remained unbeaten on 45. Collingwood's men had posted their finest batting display in their Twenty20 history and fans will be hoping that the team can still take much-deserved confidence from this harshest of defeats.

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.