3 observations from England’s humid ODI warm-up
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England’s one-day team came through their one-and-only warm-up match before the start of their Bangladesh series with a win, thanks to a counter-attacking partnership between Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler.
The tourists, who get their three-match tussle with the Tigers underway on Friday, chased down the BCB Select XI’s total of 309 with 23 balls to spare and for the loss of six wickets.
Here are three pointers from the encounter, including some early troubles for the spin department:
England’s long batting order will prove pivotal
Of the top-seven batters to come to the crease in Fatullah, six scored 28 or more with Jonny Bairstow’s 11 the lowest total in the list.
It has been noted for some time now that the Three Lions batting card holds no bunnies, and that depth will be vital in overcoming alien conditions this tour.
That England were able to score 313, with Buttler top-scoring on an unbeaten 80 and no player facing more than 64 balls, shows how much of a collective effort this chase was.
Spin struggles
This isn’t the first time that a team from Asia has taken a liking to the dishes served up by Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
The pair combined for figures of 1-117 from their 17 overs, sharing an economy rate of 6.88. In hot and humid conditions, their control and ability to allow the seam bowlers to rest is as vital as taking wickets.
Chris Woakes’ stock keeps catapulting
After enjoying the best summer of his career this year, Chris Woakes took the new ball in this encounter and led by example.
The Warwickshire all-rounder took 3-52 in his nine overs and increasingly looks like England’s leader of the white-ball attack.
David Willey and Ben Stokes both supported Woakes during the innings, with the trio bowling the last 10 overs of the BCB XI’s innings for just 49 runs and taking six wickets.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
