England seal series win in Chittagong
12 October 2016
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes led England to a significant 2-1 victory in Chittagong – ending Bangladesh’s six-series winning streak at home.
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Chasing 278 to win, Ben Duckett, playing only his third game, and Sam Billings, in his first match of the series, made 63 and 62 respectively.
England had a slight wobble when Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali fell in quick succession Stokes’ mature 47 not out and an unbeaten 27 from Woakes saw the hosts home.
Woakes delivered the winning blow, swatting Shafiul Islam back over his head for six to spark the celebrations.
After somehow starting on time given the amount of rain that had fallen on Chittagong, Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes punished anything loose to put on 80 and give the hosts the perfect platform for a big score.
Both were caught in the 40s – Kayes at square leg off Stokes and Tamim at short-extra off Adil Rashid, the first of four wickets for the Yorkshire leg spinner.
Mahmudullah fell in the same fashion in Rashid’s next over, Jonny Bairstow this time taking the catch.
Sabbir Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim responded with a 54-run stand in eight overs before England fought back with three quick wickets.
Rashid delivered a perfect legbreak to find Rahman’s edge before Shakib Al Hasan was stumped by Buttler off Ali. Rashid completed the triple strike when Nasir Hossain pulled a full toss straight to Vince at midwicket.
Mushfiqur and Mosaddek Hossain added 85 which propelled Bangladesh to 277 for six - a total many thought was enough.
England’s new-look opening pair of James Vince and Billings gave the tourists a steady start in reply.
Billings began to up the ante in the ninth over, deftly sweeping Mashrafe Mortaza for four before drilling a slog sweep over midwicket for the first six of the innings.
Vince took the initiative two overs later, cracking two boundaries – one a beautiful cover drive – as England took 12 from Taskin Ahmed’s first over.
But, having added 63, England’s best opening stand of the series, Vince walked across his stumps was trapped lbw by Nasir.
Billings, meanwhile, was growing in confidence, reverse sweeping Nasir for four on the way to his first ODI half-century.
New batsman Duckett, impressive ice-cool in the win in Dhaka, continued that form by swatting Nasir for a big six over midwicket.
Duckett’s well-timed reverse sweep two overs later off the same bowler took England beyond 100.
It was another sweep, this time a conventional one, which brought about Billings’ downfall; a top-edge off Mosaddek flying to Kayes on the boundary.
Bairstow kept up the momentum in a quickfire 45-run stand with Duckett before he played across the line and was bowled by Shafiul Islam.
Duckett confirmed his class by reaching 63 but, like Billings, was undone by a shot he normally executes so well. Making room and clipping fine down the legside, Duckett was dismayed to see the diving Mushifiqur who brilliantly anticipated to scoop up a fabulous catch.
Buttler and Stokes added 48 but two wickets in quick succession – the captain dragging onto his stumps and Ali caught off a slower ball - threw the game into the balance.
Stokes, who remained a picture of calm, found the perfect ally in the equally composed Woakes whose two driven boundaries were as good as anything seen all day.
It was left to Woakes to seal the series victory – something India, Pakistan and South Africa could not manage - with 13 deliveries remaining.
