CT 2017: England v Bangladesh, Game 1 – Match Result Predictions

The highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy will finally get underway on the 1st of June when the hosts England take on Bangladesh at the Kennington Oval in London. Bangladesh have made it to the tournament after they managed to enter the top 8 sides in the ODI rankings which meant that the T20 Champions West Indies were ruled out from the race. Now they find themselves in the opener of the tournament against a very strong English side.

England have been rated by many experts as the premier favorites to become the Champions this time around. Their ODI form has been outstanding of late and especially at home. The home advantage is the biggest advantage in cricket and it gives England a great chance to win their first ever ICC 50-over event. This is the third time they are hosting the Champions Trophy and on both previous occasions, they had lost in the finals. This year, it could be their best chance to lift the trophy.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have earned the rights to feature in the tournament due to some consistent runs in the ODI format. They are the most improved side in world cricket recently. They now stand amongst the powerhouses of the game and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to compete or not. Most of their ODI success has come playing at home and their record outside the subcontinent isn’t too great. They will have to play out of their skins to challenge the likes of England.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: England wins the toss

Toss prediction: England will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction: 350-360

Result prediction: England will win the match by more than 100 runs

Scenario 2: Bangladesh wins the toss

Toss prediction: Bangladesh will choose to bat first

First innings score prediction: 250-260

Result prediction: England will win the match by 6 wickets with more than 5 overs to spare

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 19, England Won – 15, Bangladesh Won – 4

Matches in England: Total Matches – 6, England Won – 5, Bangladesh Won – 1

The history suggests that England have had an edge over Bangladesh but the recent competition between the two sides has been intense. Bangladesh had defeated them in the 2015 ODI World Cup that had knocked them out of the tournament. England will be seeking revenge for the humiliating loss and the odds are indeed in their favor this time around. The hosts are clearly the favorites to win the opener.

Playing Combinations:

England:

The hosts possess one of the most settled sides in the tournament which is one of the reasons why they are the frontrunners to become champions. Alex Hales and Jason Roy are capable of destroying any bowling line-up from the outset. The middle-order is strongly backed up by Joe Root and the skipper Eoin Morgan. Both are equipped to play the waiting game as well as up the ante. Then Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali can be used as floaters as they can play any role required in the batting line-up.

The X-Factor of the side is Ben Stokes. He has supreme abilities in all the three departments of the game and has been in a wonderful form recently. The bowling unit is as good as the batting. Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, David Willey, Mark Wood, Jake Ball all are wonderful bowlers. They have been born and brought up on the English surfaces and are fully aware of what those will offer. The team management will face some situation picking from these pacers. Adil Rashid will also play a key role when it comes to keeping a check on the run-rate.

Predicted XI: Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(wk), Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood

Bangladesh:

Bangladesh’s best chance of winning against England would be by putting runs on the board. They did manage to get a score of 341 against Pakistan in the warm-up match and once again would be required to do something of that sort. The batting line-up includes the experienced Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes as the openers. Soumya Sarkar might still get a look in despite a couple of failures in the warm-ups. Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah will be the mainstays of the line-up.

The pace battery of Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman will be a key in the English conditions. Last time these two teams played in the 2015 World Cup, it was Rubel who had dismantled the English batting. Mustafizur has struggled for form but still, he is too good to sit out. The captain Mortaza although has lost a lot of pace yet he is handy with his variations. Mehedi Hasan and Mosaddek will handle the spin department with support from Shakib.

Predicted XI: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehedi Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

On paper, the Bangladesh side looks talented but under alien conditions and against the mighty hosts, it will be an uphill task for them to emerge victorious.

England will enter the match as clear favorites given the current form of the players and the helpful home conditions.

You can follow the live scores of the match here

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.