Bangladesh v England, 1st ODI: Five Things We Learned

England get their winter off to the perfect start with a barnstorming win in the first ODI against Bangladesh. Here’s what we learned from Mirpur…

MAN OF THE DAY - JAKE BALL (5-51)

Quite simply, one of the best ODI comebacks England have ever mustered. Or, to put it another way, another sizeable collapse to add to Bangladesh’s catalogue of errors. Needing less than a run a ball, the hosts lost six wickets for 17 runs in 38 balls. Whatever way you decide to swing this particular finish, one thing is sure – Jake Ball played a blinder. Having spent most of the summer driving up and down the country, from Nottinghamshire matches to drinks-carrying duty with England, he was finally handed his ODI debut at Mirpur. He took two wickets in his first spell, but it was his second that turned the match. Dangerman Shahkib Al Hasan was caught at deep square leg, before Mosaddek Hossain was sent on his way, first ball, as he played on. Then, as Adil Rashid picked off the other end, Ball took his fifth of the innings with a cutter that Taskin Ahmed could only edge behind to Buttler to win the match. That meant that Jake Ball became the first England bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut.

THE RIGHT KAYES

A century to give the selectors a nudge followed by one to thank them for their support. As far as back-to-back hundreds go, few will have matched Imrul Kayes for persistence and sheer bloody-mindedness. Having been dropped against Afghanistan, he worked on his game in the intervening period and returned with a century against England in their warm-up match on Wednesday. Even then, his selection for this first ODI was guaranteed. However, when called upon, the opener responded with a second hundred in a week - gifted to him by a needless shy at the stumps - rewarded his hard work. Suffering from cramp once he passed 70, he went into his shell, having started with some outlandish boundaries (one, over square leg off Chris Woakes was the shot of the match).It may seem harsh to put this defeat at his door, but it was his ailment that eventually would prove Bangladesh’s undoing, as the rate slowed and panic set in.

STOKES CASHES IN

A maiden hundred and a third consecutive score of fifty or more in his last three innings – Ben Stokes is in the midst of the first ODI purple patch of his career. You could extend that to white ball cricket in general, truth be told. His nature is to be aggressive – just ask that Caribbean locker – but these knocks have seen him adopt a calmness that has allowed him to ditch the frenetic starts fora more measured approach. Usually, you would have feared the worst to see Stokes walk in, 63-3, starting against spin. But he pushed the ball into gaps and did not try to overhit the ball on a surface that responded well to cutters and changes in pace. While he benefitted from dropped catches when on 68 (mid on) and 71 (deep cover), he conserved his energy well in the searing heat to bat 100 balls for his 101.

DUCKETT’S DEBUT

Before he was handed his ODI cap by Andrew Strauss, it had already been a tour to remember for Ben Duckett. The pre-tour uncertainty, constant security checks on arrival and presidential escorts – this has been a series with a build-up like very few others. For Duckett, on debut, even with more than 2,500 runs in the 2016 summer, it would be understandable if he came out and did not do himself justice. However, coming in at number three after the dismissal of James Vince, he became the third youngest Englishman to score a half-century on ODI debut, embarking on an innings-turning partnership of 153 with Stokes. He struggled to get some drives away – hitting the off side fielders regularly as his innings came to an end – but adapted to hit well over the top and reverse sweep to keep the score rattling along. He was not as fluent or destructive as he could be, but he showed a maturity that will have pleased those watching on from the England dressing room.

BUTTLER’S EARLY IMPRESSION

Eoin Morgan’s decision not to tour and the resting of Joe Root has presented Jos Buttler with the opportunity to really stamp his authority on this England side. It is an opportunity that he acknowledged on the eve of this first ODI, so it was fascinating to see just how he would operate. With the bat, it was business as usual: an explosive 63 off 38 deliveries taking England beyond 300. In the field, there was a feeling that he should have turned to Woakes or Ball earlier than saving them for the last 10, particularly when Shakib Al Hasan was getting his innings started. And then, to rub salt in the wounds, Buttler spilled what looked like England’s last chance, off Kayes. But when it is all said and done, a captain is judged by his results and Buttler has got his tour off to the perfect start.