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Captain Strauss calm over expensive opener Anderson

| 09.07.2010

England captain Andrew Strauss is refusing to panic about James Anderson’s form and is backing the seamer to return to his best.

After winning the first One Day International versus Bangladesh, England are 1/6 to win the series 3-0, while a 2-1 victory is 7/2.

Anderson has leaked more than 60 runs in four of his last five one-day outings and has struggled in particular to keep the score down with the new ball.

The hosts eased to a six-wicket win in the first NatWest Series match against Bangladesh on Thursday and, although he picked up three wickets, his 10 overs came at a cost of 74.

It’s 11/4 for Anderson to once again top the wicket-taking charts.

Strauss concedes that Anderson, who surprisingly lost his place to Ryan Sidebottom in England’s World Twenty20 victory, has room to improve in his opening burst but is otherwise content with the seamer’s contribution.

“I think it’s probably best to separate his bowling spells a little bit because in the middle stages and at the back end he’s been exceptional throughout the recent series,” said Strauss.

“At the top of the innings he’s occasionally been a bit expensive and that’s an area we will hopefully work with him on.”

Bangladesh’s first wicket didn’t fall until they had 40 runs on the board and with Strauss keeping faith in Anderson it would be worth backing over 23.5 runs before we see a Bangladeshi batsman out. That’s 5/6.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, have moved to bolster their squad after losing wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and batsman Raqibul Hasan to injuries in Nottingham.

Mushfiqur is out for a week after being hit in the face standing up to Faisal Hossain and Raqibul has a fractured toe, sustained after he was hit by an Anderson yorker.

England amassed 75 runs without loss on Thursday and it’s 5/6 for the side to once again get over 31.5 runs before having a man out.

Bangladesh got 21 fours in the first ODI, but if Anderson tightens his bowling expect that to drop. Under 16.5 along-the-floor boundaries for the Asian side is 5/6. See the full England v Bangladesh betting market.

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Author

John Klee