England’s hectic couple of months of Test cricket begins in Chittagong on Thursday when they face Bangladesh in the first of two matches prior to heading to India for another five. It is going to be a really demanding time for England’s players and they will be looking to get off to a winning start in this opening match.
Bangladesh head into the contest having never won a Test match against England so the size of their task is well known but in home conditions and with an improving side hopes are higher than they might otherwise be for the home side.
Bangladesh
Much of the optimism around Bangladesh revolves around the improvement they have shown in the 50 over sphere in recent times especially with the ball and it is with that element that this match is likely to be decided. One of the key issues in winning Test matches over recent times for Bangladesh has been their inability to take 20 wickets but with a deeper pool of bowlers coming through that might be set to change.
One area which hasn’t changed for the home side is their batting and even though they haven’t played a Test match for 15 months their top six here is expected to be the same one which faced South Africa and with Sabbir Rahman expected to come in at seven they have a strong line up on paper.
England
This will be a very interesting winter for England because this is a side in a bit of transition. It has been a while since they have had a settled top order regularly churning out the amount of runs needed at this level and that has been in conditions which have suited them so all eyes will be on their batsmen to see if they can adapt and show the patience and class needed here.
The other focus for the next two months will be on their spinners. They are going to have significant roles to play not just because of the wickets England are likely to encounter but also because of the hot and humid conditions they will be playing in. It is time for the likes of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid to really step up now.
Team News
Bangladesh are expected to give a debut to Sabbir Rahman which leaves their selection issues over the make up of their bowling attack. Mehedi Hasan and Kamrul Islam Rabbi are in line to make debuts.
Ben Duckett is expected to make his debut and he is set to be Alastair Cook’s opening partner with Gary Ballance keeping his place in the middle order. Gareth Batty is expected to be the third spinner with Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes taking the new ball.
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
There have been 14 previous Test matches on this ground and they have produced nine results. Bangladesh have only been on the right side of one of those which was two years ago against Zimbabwe. England won their only previous match here in 2010.
The wicket is expected to suit Bangladesh and by that it is expected to be slow and low and turn from the outset although the turn is likely to be slow which makes taking wickets difficult. The longer the match goes on the more turn is expected.
Betting
I’m not going to bet on the match outcome from the start. There are a couple of reasons for that. While they have improved so much in the ODI arena this is their first Test match since July last year and they might need a while to get to grips with it again. That might mean England are good things at 4/6 but I’m not completely certain they’ll take 20 wickets either. Those who want to bet on the match before the off could do worse than a couple of quid on the draw but we’ll look elsewhere.
If Bangladesh do anything in this Test match then you would think Shakib al Hasan would be the catalyst for it and he has a decent enough record here. He has four 50s from his last eight knocks on this ground and match wicket totals of nine, seven, six and five on two occasions so in terms of player performances he has plenty of scoring potential. He’s often good for a catch too so a line of 125.5pts may not be high enough.
I’ll also go with one in the Bangladesh first innings batsman market where Mahmudullah might just be a shade big at 5/1. He already smashed 75 in the ODI which Bangladesh won against England and he averages over 31 in Test cricket with 12 50s and a ton from 50 innings. He should avoid the new ball and if England’s spinners don’t possess the threat England want them to then Mahmudullah should be able to run up the runs without much of a challenge.
Tips
WON – Back S.al Hasan’s Performance – Over 125.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Paddy Power
Back it here:
Back Mahmudullah Top Bangladesh 1st Inns Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 6.00 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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