BAN v ENG, 3rd ODI, Review: England end Bangladesh’s unbeaten home run

After an eventful 2nd ODI, the action moved to Chittagong for the series decider. Both England and Bangladesh knew the importance of the game. For the hosts it was about maintaining the winning streak. They had won their last seven series at home. England, on the other hand, looked visibly armed to break the streak. They had a convincing win in the first ODI with Ben Stokes and Jake Ball being the star attractions.

What transpired in the second ODI was a dramatic turnout of events. Bangladesh eked out a 34-run win. But it was the heated moments between the players that shook the team managements. Speculations were rife that the altercation could have a psychological impact on the players. However, both camps denied any such thing happening. Coming into the 3rd ODI, it was England captain Jos Buttler who won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Bangladesh went in with an unchanged eleven. England drafted in Sam Billings and Liam Plunkett in place of Jason Roy and David Willey. Bangladeshi openers, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, walked to the middle as Jake Ball shared the new ball with Chris Woakes. Both the openers looked steady in their approach as they saw the new ball through. They moved to 42/0 by the end of 10 overs. The partnership rose to 80 off114 balls.

Ben Stokes provided the first breakthrough when he got rid of Imrul Kayes on 46. His knock came off 58 balls with 4 fours and a six. Sabbir Rahman was the new man in. He lost Tamim Iqbal at the other end soon. Tamim scored 45 off 68 balls with 5 fours before becoming Adil Rashid’s first victim of the night. Rashid then removed Mahmadullah cheaply for just 6. Mushfiqur Rahim joined Rahman at the crease as the duo steadied the innings from 122/3 at the half-way stage.

Sabbir Rahman struck a quick 49 off 46 balls with 5 fours before perishing on an Adil Rashid delivery in the 33rd over. Shakib Al Hasan (4) jumped down the track to Moeen Ali but only to be stumped by Jos Buttler. Adil Rashid got his 4th wicket of the match when he got rid of Nasir Hossain on 4. Mosaddek Saikat joined hands with Rahim to take the counter attack. Bangladesh were 192/6 in 34 overs.

Rahim brought up his half century with a six in the 47th over as Bangladesh went past the 250-run mark. It was 23rd ODI fifty for Rahim. He remained unbeaten on 67 off 62 balls with 4 fours and a six by the end of fifty overs as Bangladesh posted an above par total of 277/6. Saikat played the supporting role with an unbeaten 38 off 39 balls with 4 fours. Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers with 4/43 in his 10 overs.

England openers James Vince and Sam Billings had an uphill task ahead of them. Mortaza started off with a maiden. Similar to their counterparts, the England openers started off at a decent pace. With 49 runs on the board in the first 10 overs, England looked on course for the chase. Vince lost his patience after scoring 37-ball 32 with 5 fours. Nasir Hossain trapped him lbw in the 12th over to break the 63-run opening stand.

Ben Duckett was the new man into bat. Duckett and Billings rallied along to form a 64 run partnership. In the process, Sam Billings reached his maiden ODI fifty. Mosaddek Saikat got the better of him in 25th over and sent him packing on 62 that came off 69 balls with 4 fours and a six. Jonny Bairstow joined Duckett at the crease but only to be bowled by Shafiul on 15. Duckett reached his second ODI fifty in the meantime.

Shafiul gave a bigger blow to the visitors when he dismissed the well set Ben Duckett on 63. His knock came in 68 balls with 4 fours and a six. Two new batsmen were at the crease – Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler – with England needing 99 runs off 100 deliveries. The experienced campaigners took the attack to Bangladeshi bowlers. Just when England looked cruising to the target, Mortaza cleaned up Buttler for a 26-ball 25. Moeen Ali followed by adding just 1 to the team score.

Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes then put together a sensible batting display that sealed the game for the visitors. Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 47 off 48 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes. Chris Woakes finished off in style with a six as he finished unbeaten on 27 off 18 balls with 3 fours and a six.

England won the match by 4 wickets and sealed the series 2-1. England finally broke the unbeaten streak of Bangladesh at home that continued since March 2015.

Brief Scores:

Bangladesh: 277/6 in 50 overs (Rahim 67*, Rahman 49, Rashid 4/43, Stokes 1/24)

England: 278/6 in 47.5 overs (Duckett 63, Billings 62, Mortaza 2/51, Shafiul 2/61)