Strauss unhappy to make history in loss to Bangladesh
Published:England captain Andrew Strauss admitted his side were below par in all departments as they slipped to their first ever defeat by Bangladesh.
The Tigers posted what seemed a catchable 236 for seven, built around 76 from Imrul Kayes. It’s 3/1 for Kayes to reach 50 again in the final One Day International that starts on Monday at 10.15am.
But, hampered by the loss of Ian Bell from the top of their order – the Warwickshire man eventually came in at number 11 despite having suffered a broken metatarsal while fielding – England were all out for 231.
“We didn’t get a lot of things right,” said Strauss after seeing is side pegged back to 1-1 in the NatWest Series. The price for Bangladesh to do the unthinkable and win the series is 5/1.
“Our fielding was sub-standard. Losing four wickets early was criminal, really.
“But they defended that score exceptionally well, they were hungry and they thoroughly deserved their victory.”
Strauss admitted the injury to Bell, who scored an unbeaten 84 in the first match of the series, had affected them.
“Obviously we were one of our major bats down there,” he said. “But these things happen. We should have had enough batting and nous to get over the line.”
Bell eventually came out – hobbling, heavily padded and with Eoin Morgan as a runner – in a last-ditch effort with Jonathan Trott, who was last man out for 94, still in at the other end.
Trott is 7/4 to score another 50 and 7/2 to be top England batsman.
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza admitted the dressing room was a happier place after their first win in 247 days. Mortaza took two wickets for 42 runs and was named man of the match – it’s 25/1 for a repeat award again.
“After 24 matches losing in a row, this dressing room had not really been happy,” he said. “The dressing room is happy now.”
Can Bangladesh do the unthinkable and beat England in the third ODI? That’s a 5/1 shot. See the full England v Bangladesh match betting market.
