World Cup Report Match 33: Bangladesh v England

Scorecard

There have been a number of feel-good stories in this 2015 World Cup. The advance of Ireland, the impressive displays of the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Scotland, the fall and rise of Pakistan. So many matches have gone down to the wire, producing exciting and amazing cricket to watch. But as an Australian, nothing has given me a more profound sense of joy and happiness as watching England capitulate to Bangladesh in this evening's match in Adelaide, a result that has knocked the England team out of the World Cup before the preliminary matches have even been completed. Now for the backlash to begin, which could be just as enjoyable.

England has only themselves to blame. They waited far too long in this tournament to make a bold change in their team, despite only being able to defeat Scotland up to this point of the World Cup. Their batting has been steady, whereas almost every other team has had moments of explosiveness. Their bowling has been ineffectual and lacking in penetration, and their fielding has been less than exhilarating. Their captain has been hamstrung in his decision making, not to mention his own form with the bat.

To the match at hand, and England threw away the advantage of winning the toss by inviting Bangladesh to bat first. It is tactic that has occurred far too often in this World Cup, and teams keep being burned by it. Just ask South Africa how they felt about chasing 233 against Pakistan the other day. It seems ludicrous, unless the wicket is a raging greentop, that a top flight team believes chasing is a better option than defending. Did Morgan and his allies really believe that they would restrict Bangladesh to a total that would end up being containable to their batting line up? To me it seemed like a risk. And, despite those initial breakthroughs that had Bangladesh reeling at 2/8, the lack of penetration that England's bowling attack has shown through this whole tournament returned just as quickly, as the Bangladesh batsmen consolidated and worked their way through the changes. 86 for the third wicket produced certainty that was then dissolved by a fourth wicket eight balls later. But even then England could not close down their opponents. Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur put on 141 from 144 deliveries with barely a risk, with Mahmudullah scoring his country's first World Cup century, and his keeper finishing with 89 when his own century beckoned.

As a total, 7/275 was not a huge one in the context of this World Cup, but consider the baggage that it carried. England's batting has not been great, and the pressure they now found themselves under was enormous. If they couldn't chase down this total, they were out of the World Cup. Everything hinged on THIS innings. Perhaps they felt against this bowling attack they could do it comfortably, but weighing on the backs of their minds for the entire fifty overs was the fact that it was over if they failed, and the media and supporter backlash if that occurred would be cataclysmic.

In effect it was a calamity. Ridiculous running between the wickets between Bell and Ali cost Ali his wicket, with Bell not responding and then turning his back on his partner. The long overdue recalling of Hales went well until outdone by a Mortaza outswinger. Bell against failed to capitalise on a good start before also edging to the keeper. Skipper Morgan, with five recent ducks, added a sixth by hooking third ball down fine leg's throat. It was second rate stuff, especially with the tournament's future on the line. Bell and Morgan, as the senior players and leaders, had to do better than this when their team needed leaders. Taylor lasted four deliveries, and Root was also undone by another Mortaza beauty, leaving the English team at 6/163, with 113 required of 87 deliveries.

Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, the players who had been the least effected by the battering received by this team in Australia last summer, now put together a smart partnership, seeing off the dangers of Mortaza and Shakib, while taking on the lesser lights of the Bangladesh bowling attack. Their partnership of 75 from 61 balls had put England back into the box seat, needing 38 from 26 deliveries and a short boundary at Adelaide to target. The Buttler tried to be too cute, was caught between two shots, and was caught behind. England's trump was gone. Then, the very next ball, Chris Jordan tried to pinch a single, but was forced to turn back when Woakes didn't move. He dived for the crease, and made it in time as the return hit the stumps. However, in the process, his bat bounced in the air, and it was referred to the third umpire. After a thousand viewings, there really wasn't anyone who could honestly say for sure that the bat was grounded, or the bat was in the air. As a result, it was a 50-50 decision whichever way the umpire went. He went with red. Bangladesh celebrated, England fumed. I cheered the decision, but honestly felt the benefit of the doubt had to go to the batsman.

There is nothing in the Laws of Cricket where it is written that the batsman will get the benefit of the doubt. In the case of recent matches it is obvious that this is being adhered to, as batsmen in recent matches have had no benefit of some very close calls sent to the referring umpire. It is probably time to implement a further ruling to any decision being referred to the third umpire. When referring something to the third umpire, whether it be a run out or stumping or disputed catch, the on-field umpire should have to tell the third umpire whether he believes the batsmen is out or not out. The third umpire should then look over the incident, but if conclusive evidence cannot be found to indicate whether a ruling is out or not out, then the referral is handed back to the on field umpire, whose initial ruling is then taken as the decision. This therefore means that the on-field umpire is still the ruling official, unless it is conclusively proven he is incorrect. Umpire error may/will still occur (and in the case of Jordan's dismissal, we'll never know what the umpire would have said if this was implemented last night) but at least it will be the decision of the on field umpire, rather than belittling the third umpire who has made a big call on something he probably shouldn't have to. 

Broad and Woakes did their best. 22 runs came from the next two overs, and left 16 required from 12 balls. But, as was to be expected, it was too much. Two great deliveries from Rubel Hossain accounted for Broad and then Anderson, and Bangladesh had sealed their spot in the quarter finals, and committed England to also rans. For Bangladesh, it is a day of celebration. A quarter final against India at the M.C.G is a fitting reward for their efforts, and what a huge day it will be for the players and their supporters playing in that stadium.

For England, it looks like a repeat showing of the blood and carnage of twelve months ago awaits them. No doubt for England the Ashes will be their first and most pertinent problem, and they somehow have to prepare themselves for that very quickly. In regards to the one day game though, surely they must almost immediately start looking four years down the track. The next World Cup is held in their country in 2019, which means anyone who is not likely to be of an age or performance in four years time should immediately be shown the door. It is hard to believe that any of the coaching staff will keep their jobs. Surely the time has come to take a punt on someone who has the experience and is as highly regarded as Michael Vaughan to come into that coaching and mentoring role. Players such as Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ian Bell would be on the cusp of finishing their careers by 2019, and surely not a part of that planning. All the 22 and 23 years old Englishmen playing County cricket this northern summer (if there are any amongst the South Africans, Pakistani's and Australians) should be being brought along with a view to four years time, immediately. I highly doubt it will occur, it is not in the English make up to admit errors and make bold decisions in regards to their future. Let's instead just sit back and listen to what their media and supporters have to say for the next few days. It should be more entertaining than their cricket has been, unless you love watching them getting beaten.