Bangladesh are not an opponent to be trifled with, even for a team as aggressive with the bat as England
The Preview by Alan Gardner07-Jun-2019Big PicturePossibly not for the first time in this marathon round-robin stage, England have met with a moment. The phrase “Don’t panic!” of course cannot be uttered without giving the underlying impression that panic is precisely what’s in store, though Joe Root’s words in the aftermath of defeat to Pakistan were eminently sensible and (presumably) not delivered in a reedy Clive Dunn warble.There is common acceptance that each of the four semi-finalists will have to overcome a few losses on the way – though Eoin Morgan would surely have preferred England’s first not to have come inside the opening couple of games. The fielding that backed up their efforts with the ball so strongly against South Africa was well below par at Trent Bridge, and in a 14-run defeat was probably the decisive factor, even if England have come to back their batting to overhaul whatever target gets put in their way.Their next opponents, Bangladesh, have shown they are not to be trifled with, and will be cheered on by a partisan following, too – something that seemed to unsettle England in Nottingham. While Cardiff has been a relatively successful venue for England – almost in spite of the silent W in the ECB – it also holds good memories for Bangladesh as the scene of their famous mugging of Australia in 2005, and there is every chance that plush tigers will outnumber lions in the stands.Cardiff was also where England’s Champions Trophy hopes came to grief in 2017, so they have plenty of reasons to stay focused on the job in hand. Centuries for Root and Jos Buttler against Pakistan will encourage England to stick to their batting guns, and given their leaky bowling they may well get another chance to overwrite Ireland’s Bengaluru 2011 heroics for the record World Cup chase. Adil Rashid’s indifferent form, perhaps exacerbated by a long-term shoulder problem, may be causing some anxiety, though.For Bangladesh, defeat to New Zealand was ultimately an agonising affair, but they go into this game with as many points as the hosts and under no great pressure against one of the favourites. The top order has been in relatively good form, although they might need to find more wicket-taking options in the middle overs if they are to contain as aggressive an opponent as England.After their painful meeting in Adelaide four years ago, England will know not to underestimate Mashrafe Mortaza’s side. In fact, in both of the previous World Cups, Bangladesh have knocked over England during the group stage – should they make it three from three, then Morgan might have to start considering panic as the least-bad option.3:56
Nafees: Bringing in Rubel will play to England’s strength
Form guideEngland LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh LWWWWIn the spotlightAfter being hailed for his fielding in England’s opener, Jason Roy experienced the flip side in Nottingham – his drop of Mohammad Hafeez the most notable blip in a malfunctioning effort. Pakistan then became the second team in succession to open the bowling with a legspinner based on Roy’s perceived weakness: a theory that will remain intact after his lbw attempting to sweep Shadab Khan’s seventh ball. Man of the Series against Pakistan during England’s build-up, Roy made a momentum-shifting fifty despite the attentions of Imran Tahir at The Oval but could be targeted by Bangladesh’s spinners once again.There is no doubt about the leadership skills of Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s most successful ODI captain, but there might be growing scrutiny over his role with the ball. A lack of penetration cost Bangladesh against New Zealand, a match which extended a dry run for Mashrafe – he has gone wicketless in six of his nine matches in 2019, and not bowled his full quota overs on each of those occasions, too. However, he has a decent career record against this England side, and has nine wickets in four ODIs against them since the 2015 World Cup.Team newsEngland tend to stick with the same players in defeat, almost as a sign of faith, although there is a chance the ground dimensions in Cardiff will instigate at least one change. With short, straight boundaries to defend, Liam Plunkett could be in line for a recall, possibly at the expense of Rashid, who was fared badly at Trent Bridge after seeing Hafeez dropped in his second over.England: (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Liam Plunkett, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark WoodBangladesh have gone well so far, and while Sabbir Rahman might back his chances after Mosaddek Hossain’s returns of 26 and 11 so far in the lower middle-order, he might just have to wait a bit longer.Bangladesh: (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPitch and conditionsThe Cardiff deck was seamer-friendly in the opening two games, it has also tended to be on the slow side, though the boundaries – the straight ones are especially short – are hard to defend and England piled up 342 for 8 there against Australia last summer. Rain has forced the pitch to be under covers the last couple of days too, so that could have a bearing on the way it plays.Strategy puntsESPNcricinfo Ltd
Another reason England might want to add a pace bowler instead of Rashid in their XI is that Bangladesh’s most consistent middle-order batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, has been outstanding against spin in recent times. Chris Woakes’ form with the new ball has been something of a concern for England and Bangladesh’s openers might look to target him. His economy in 2019 is 7.0 from nine matches so far, and a rate of 6.5 in the Powerplay – where he has taken seven wickets at 38.9 – is by far the worst of his career, year on year. Those stats might suggest England should try opening the bowling with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood instead. The importance of getting Tamim Iqbal or Soumya Sarkar early is clear: since the 2017 Champions Trophy, Bangladesh have won 80% of matches in which Tamim has reached 50, and 100% when Soumya does so.Stats and trivia England’s defeat at Trent Bridge was their first while chasing at home since 2015, when they lost to Australia at Lord’s. Bangladesh have won both of their previous ODIs in Cardiff, beating New Zealand during the 2017 Champions Trophy and Australia in the 2005 tri-series with England. The 224-run partnership between Shakib and Mahmadullah in that New Zealand game remains a Bangladesh record for the fifth-wicket in ODIs.Quotes”Bangladesh will open with spin definitely. It’s just another challenge the two guys have been presented with. It’s like anything: when the balls swings, it’s a new challenge, when guys bowl short, it’s a new challenge. Mystery spin is a new challenge. I’m sure they’ll kick on.”
“For us, we have been beating them the last two World Cups. It doesn’t mean that we will make it happen again. Obviously there is the chance, and for that, we have to play at our best.”