Champions Trophy Match 1: England vs Bangladesh

Champions Trophy Match 1: England vs Bangladesh: Scorecard

Despite losing to Bangladesh at the last two World Cups the result here never looked in doubt, even when England lost Chris Woakes after two overs meaning that his overs had to be shared around other bowlers, and when Bangladesh’s most accomplished batsmen Tamim and Mushfiqur combined to put them within touching distance of a defendable score.

England would be happy with the win and the way they performed in it. The loss of Woakes meant Moeen and Root had to bowl more than they may have otherwise, but their combined eleven overs for 58 runs was acceptable in those circumstances. The Bangladesh batting was terrific, struggling somewhat against the back of a length delivery but taking full toll of anything pitched up or wide. Tamim and Mushfiqur’s partnership for the third wicket of 166 only failed to deliver when they were dismissed in consecutive deliveries with five overs to go, meaning that the hoped-for flourish produced less than was needed with new batsmen at the crease. 305 never looked likely to be enough. Tamim’s 128 had touches of his ability, but it was Mushfiqur’s 79 that was all class, playing conventionally along the ground and through the field on most occasions in an innings that again showed how impressive a batsman he can be. Only his dismissal was a disappointment. For England, Ball was expensive again, going for 82 off his ten overs, and he may be a liability that cannot be pursued, though the extent of Woakes’ injury may well determine that. One would expect Adil Rashid will lsip back into that line up.

England cruised for the most part. Roy’s early dismissal was the only hiccup, with Hales once again finding a way to throw away a certain century with his dismissal for 95 having taken the previous two deliveries for 4 and 6. Apart from this, Joe Root again showed his class by caressing the ball around the ground with relative ease, his only problem rolling his ankle which troubled his running for the rest of the innings. At the other end Eoin Morgan bashed and crashed the ball to and over the boundary for 75 not out off 61 balls to lead England home with 16 deliveries remaining and eight wickets in hand. Bangladesh had gambled on only four front line bowlers in the hope the batsmen would post a big enough score for them to defend, but that was their eventual shortfall.

England now set themselves for their clash with New Zealand on Tuesday to try and ensure themselves of a semi-final place, while Bangladesh will face the juggernaut of Australia on Monday, against whom they will need to bat and bowl much better if they hope to progress any further in the tournament.