Bangladesh in England ODI Series 2010

England v Bangladesh 1st ODI, Natwest Series, at Trent Bridge  July 8 2010.

England 251 for 4 (Bell 84, Strauss 50) beat Bangladesh 250 for 9 (Siddique 51, Al Hasan 76) by 6 wickets.

A Comedy of Errors
If all Bangladesh could muster in the Test arena were brief moments of brilliance or an inspired session here and there, the more forgiving and fast-paced nature of the one day game it was possible would prove a more fruitful format. Early signs were promising for the Tigers, all top six batsmen reaching double figures including two half centuries from Junaid Siddique and Raqibul Hassan. But it was the former who fell crucially short of a big score, run out for 76 with three overs remaining. Raqibul guiding the ball to midwicket for an easy single, only for Faisal Hossain, Raqibul's runner, to be caught ball watching. Shakib set off from the non-striker's end but was surprised when he saw Faisal motionless, in confusion Shakib desperately ran back for his own crease while Faisal stutteres halfway down the track. The ball was sent in to Kieswetter, Raqibul grounding his own bat but to no avail as Faisal was nowhere to be seen, a comedy of errors that prevented the tourists posting a more challenging total on a good batting deck at Trent Bridge.

The Tortoise and the Hare
In reply England began positively, Kieswetter building on his impressive summer so far with a useful knock of 32 from 40, but it was his the England captain that was most adventurous crashing 50 off just 37 deliveries. The manner in which Strauss went about his business was a sure sign that he refuses to be typecast as a one-paced, methodical opening batsman only suited to Test cricket. It appears his assuredness in defence actually heightens the impact of his aggression, pouncing on anything marginally off-line Strauss never descends to recklessness but instead punishes the opposition for ill-discipline in spectacular fashion.

However, moments after raising his bat for his half century the England skipper was run out by Mahmadullah. Kieswetter dabbing one into the covers, Strauss calling for the single but tragically underestimating the accuracy of the throw not diving to make sure of the run and caught napping inches short of the crease. In the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, it was up to Ian Bell to negate the middle overs in the crucial number three position.

Joining Paul Collingwood initially, the pair manipulated the field expertly keeping the board ticking over at a healthy rate, Collingwood eventually succumbed to the left arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan making way for Eoin Morgan. Bell maintained a steady pace rotating the strike admirably in order to allow Morgan to flay the bat more willfully, the Irishman chipping in with a swift 23 from 26 deliveries including two fours and a six. It was left to Bell and Yardy to finish off the job with just under five overs remaining. The experience showed by Bell, who remained unbeaten on 84 underlined the entire England chase, a professional display from a confident group of cricketers who have yet to lose a series (or World cup competition) this year.

England v Bangladesh 2nd ODI, Natwest Series, at The County Ground July 10 2010.

Bangladesh 236 for 7 (Kayes 76, Shahzad 3-41) beat England 231 (Trott 94) by 5 runs.

Team Spirit
At the halfway stage there was a sense of deja vu about proceedings, Bangladesh having posted a below-par total were set the task of restricting, or most likely bowling out England if they were to claim victory. There was certainly no room for a patchy bowling effort and you felt that to win the game Bangladesh would require a high class team effort.

Rubel Hossain led by example claiming the scalps of openers Strauss and Kieswetter in consecutive overs to leave the home side 58 for 2 after nine overs. Collingwood survived the bowling Powerplay and was unlucky to be dismissed soon after by Abdur Razzak who was fortunate to see the finger raised for an appeal lbw. Seven balls later and England's middle order hero of late Eoin Morgan was sent back again by Razzaq for just one run. This time England had no complaints, the ball going on to hit the top of middle stump.

Yardy continued his nervy England career with a woeful 10 from 24 balls to take England over the hundred mark, Shakib outfoxing the Sussex allrounder, luring him into the pull shot only for the ball to slide under Yardy's bat and clatter into his offstump. Meanwhile Jonathan Trott went about his business providing much needed solidity to England's flailing run chase, his fifty coming off 91 deliveries, and as Luke Wright departed with over 15 overs remaining it was Trott who really held the key to what would now be a surprise defeat for England.

The bowlers provided little resistance, Stuart Broad providing some brief entertainment, his 21 featuring a four and a six. Ian Bell did return to the field despite a suspected broken foot, but with three balls to go and six runs remaining it was Trott, who required the same amount of runs for his century, who was last to go, the two Islams combining to force an edge from Trott's bat and complete a famous victory for Bangladesh. A wonderful effort and one that ensured the series would go down to a crucial decider at Edgbaston.

England v Bangladesh 3rd ODI, Natwest Series, at Edgbaston July 12 2010.

England 347 for 7 (Strauss 154, Trott 110, Mortaza 3-31) beat Bangladesh 203 (Bopara 4-38) by 144 runs.


Record Breakers
So one a piece and all to play for, and following a dramatic victory two days previous Bangladesh were on the brink of their first series win against England in history. As it turned out it was the hosts who entered the record books that afternoon, the immovable forces of Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott milking the Tigers for all they had notching up a second wicket partnership of 250, the highest ever in England's one day history, surpassing Strauss and Flintoff's 226 run partnership recorded against the West Indies at Lords in 2004. A nervy start soon became an enterprising double act lifting England from 1 for 1 to 251 for 2 four balls into the final ten overs of the innings Strauss and Trott playing against the grain of their stereotype.

Trott was powerful and precise in his shot selection and remained focused throughout while Bangladeshi heads slowly dropped unable to find a breakthrough for a whole 240 balls. It took a joint effort between captain and former captain to prise Trott from the wicket, the Warwickshire stalwart creaming a full delivery to midwicket where Shakib took an athletic catch, but not before Trott had notched up his first ever one day international century, and another under-pressure knock when his team was in need of inspiration.

At the other end Strauss compiled an innings he has been threatening to produce all summer. Having been run out in farcical circumstances two days ago the England captain was determined to cash in on this occasion creaming the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts for his remarkable 154. A strike rate of 110 underlined the brutality of Strauss's knock which included five rare sixes, his eighth of the summer, having only scored a further ten since his debut in 2003.

Bangladesh in England Test Series 2010

England v Bangladesh, 1st Test at Lords, May 27 - 31, 2010.

England 505 (Trott 226, Hossain 5-98) & 163 for 2 beat Bangladesh 282 & 382 (Iqbal 103, Finn  5-87) by 8 wickets.

On the Front Foot
Jonathan Trott has had a topsy-turvy nine months since his Ashes heroics last Summer, but with his feet back on familiar shores Trott picked up where he started off with his maiden Test double ton and his second hundred in three innings in England.  His 226 took England to an imposing 505 all out allowing Strauss to eventually enforce the follow on and lead his team to an eight wicket victory. Often criticised for his laborious manner at the crease Trott proved the glue to England's innings kick-starting his summer in the best way possible.

All Edge and No Middle
After a fine series as captain against the Tigers away from home Cook found little luck in the first Test. He was the only England batsman to be out for single figures in the first innings adjudged lbw off the bowling of Shahadat Hossain in the fifth over of the game. As it turned out Cook was unlucky to be back in the dressing room so early, hawkeye suggesting the ball would have gone over the stumps. Four days later and with England chasing 160 runs to win the Test match Cook was again trapped in front this time by Mahmadullah only for replays to reveal the ball would have flew over off and middle!

Line and Length
Five days and nine wickets later and Steven Finn is odds on to board the plane to Australia. A mechanical bowler with a conservative action Finn lets his bean pole stature and ice cool temperament do the talking. Unlike England apprentices before him who have reaped the rewards of overcast conditions or green top wickets Finn relied on persistence and skill for each of his nine wickets. In the first innings he bowled 25 overs  for four of the top seven wickets prising out genuine edges once to Strauss at first slip, and twice to Prior, before clean bowling Rahim as Bangladesh refused to play to any stereotypes and needlessly give their wickets away.

With Bangladesh following on Finn was straight back into action charging in for another 24 overs in total this time getting himself on the Lords honours board claiming a much-deserved 5 for 87. After ending Tamim's onslaught Finn went about plying his trade with great skill. Whilst plugging away outside offstump Finn used subtle variation on a wearing pitch to keep the Tigers in check and completely outclass his fellow bowlers who amassed 86 overs and 274 runs collectively for the loss of the remaining five batsman.


Adrenaline Junkie
England's eight wicket victory whilst deserved was certainly not as easy an affair as they may have expected, and one man that will not be forgotten by the Lords crowds is Tamim Iqbal. His blistering 103 in 100 balls quickly prompted comparisons with Virender Sehwag and as the feisty left hander dispatched England's pace attack to all parts the likes of Broad and Bresnan may have been wishing they were bowling to the Indian opener.

Tamim's all-guns-blazing attitude to batting though is in reality a pragmatic approach to playing for Bangladesh, who one suspects will not get very far trying to grind out results, they're simply not in the same league as the world's best. Unfortunately while a blazing hundred in a one day game may be able to alone win the odd game, a moment of such brilliance in the context of a five day match will more often than not fail to sway the final result when your team mates lack your god-given talents.

England v Bangladesh, 2nd Test at Old Trafford, June 4-6, 2010.

England 419 (Bell 128, Al Hasan 5-121) beat Bangladesh 216 (Iqbal 108, Swann 5-76) & 123 (Finn 5-42) by an innings and 80 runs.

Anchor
At 153 for 4 the England innings could have gone one of two ways, Ian Bell made sure it went the way all home fans were hoping for. Batting for five and a half hours he absorbed early pressure and then went about bisecting the Bangladeshi fielders with the kind of maturity he has shown in the past 12 months. Ably assisted by Matt Prior (93) Bell took his side to 376 for 5 before he was unlucky to fall victim to a wonder delivery from Shakib Al-Hasan that gripped sharply off the surface making a mess of the batsman's stumps.

It was the temperament of 'The Sherminator's' knock that was most telling, the man who once only scored hundreds when in the company of other centurions and who had been heavily criticised for getting out when well set was now leading his team into a winning position. If his marathon innings against South Africa was an indication of his new found maturity this was confirmation of his continual importance in the England middle order.

Unlikely Hero
While Bell and Prior were piling on the misery for his team Shakib Al Hasan the Bangladesh captain took it on himself to try and inspire a breakthrough. A thoughtful bowler Shakib has already taken six five wicket hauls in Test cricket at a healthy average of just over 30. It so happened that his hard work payed off and he was rewarded with the wicket of Ian Bell albeit against the run of play. The ball darted in to leg stump bell pushed at it expecting to be able to guide the ball into the leg side, instead the ball gripped and spun viciously to miss Bell's bat flick the off bail.

That bit of magic proved decisive as 376 for 6 became 419 all out, the captain causing the majority of the damage and picking up a hard earned five-for, his final figures reading 37.3 overs, 5 for 121 with three maidens.

Lone Ranger
Another lost cause, another outstanding innings, Tamim Iqbal's refreshing attitude to batting and abislity to rack up substantial scores from ball one has elavated the 21 year old to cult status as of late and his second century in as many matches has simply put the cherry on the cake.

108 from 114 balls was the equation this time around, exactly half of the Bangladesh total score. It wasn't enough to save his team but that was never the point Tamim is not selfish or unruly as many may presume he is a realist and his inspirational approach to batting is a lesson to all.


The Turning Point
The most improved cricketer in world cricket, it rarely comes as a surprise nowadays when Swanny bags a five-for, and that was exactly what he did after Anderson had the dangerous Tamim caught behind. Siddique was too easy for Swann his impatience his undoing eventually succumbing to Swann's immaculate line and length and edging to Prior. Islam was next to go, lured into wafting outside his offstump only to mistime his drive and gift Swann a classic offspinner's dismissal gripping and turning and crashing into the middle stump.

The rest was childsplay for a man of Chin's quality and as his fingers rolled over what was to be the final cherry of the Test Hossain was trapped on the crease and swiftly adjudged lbw by the crooked finger of Billy Bowden, game, set, match!

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, 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.