Managing spin vital to English success in ODI Bangladesh series
Published:
Plenty has changed since the last time England faced Bangladesh in a one-day international, despite that encounter coming a little over a year ago.
It was the lowest of the low for the Three Lions in March last year, as a dismal World Cup campaign ended with defeat to the Tigers at the Adelaide Oval.
Since then Eoin Morgan’s side have undergone a personnel facelift and dramatically changed their approach to the 50-over game.
Of the XI that took on Bangladesh in that World Cup defeat, seven are not even in the squad to re-oppose them this time around.
Two of those, Morgan and Alex Hales, would have been but opted not to tour on security grounds, while the country’s two best Test-match bowlers – James Anderson and Stuart Broad – have long been forgotten as coloured-kit options.
Instead, a young and vibrant squad will travel as 2/5 favourites to win the series. It’s a lot of pressure, especially with a temporary captain in Jos Buttler taking on the job for the first time.
Buttler will be leading an inexperienced batting lineup that could include potential debutant Ben Duckett, recently dropped Test star James Vince or five-cap Sam Billings in the middle order.
How those players, and the rest of the lineup, come with the spinning ball in sub-continental conditions will be vital to England succeeding.
England haven’t fared well against spin in Asian conditions historically. They’ve only won one away ODI series in that environment in their last six attempts, albeit that one triumph coming the last time they toured Bangladesh.
If the improvements the squad have made since their World Cup nightmare are to be cemented, then playing spin well will be crucial.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
