Bangladesh v England, 1st test, Chittagong, Mar 12-16

Shakib is in the running for the "Worst Decision At The Toss" award - the ball turned before lunch FFS!!!

Swanneee!! could take a hatful on this by the 3rd/4th day.

Bangles seamers have got some decent pace and actions, will probably cause more problems in England than on a deck like this.

Looking forward to seeing Finn bowl - the new Harmy? (without the homesickness I hope)

Don't see the likeness myself, definitely more Glenn McGrath alike than Harmisons pace, 85-6mph from a good height and decent accuracy.

He's even got the huge McGrath adams apple

I think Bresnan will struggle on this pitch. Surpise package might be Colly with his off-cutters.

JKLever wrote:Don't see the likeness myself, definitely more Glenn McGrath alike than Harmisons pace, 85-6mph from a good height and decent accuracy.

He's even got the huge McGrath adams apple

I heard he'd put on a yard and was clocking 90mph for the Lions.

I guess we'll find out at some point on day two...

One thing's for sure: no-one much fancies Liam Plunkett. In spite of his international experience, they overlooked the Durham dipstick for Shahzad in the ODIs and now Finn (a stand-by reserve, no less) for the Tests.

What I saw of him in the (dead rubber?) ODI he played was nowt to write home about. Seems to have lost his nip - pretty sure he was constantly up around the 88mph mark in the good old, bad old days (2007). Barely squeaking over 80 clicks the other day.

JKLever wrote:Don't see the likeness myself, definitely more Glenn McGrath alike than Harmisons pace, 85-6mph from a good height and decent accuracy.

He's even got the huge McGrath adams apple

Be thankful for small mercies.

No England captain has scored 200+ since Graham Gooch made 333 v. India at Lord's in July 1990. HS by an England captain since then - Marcus Trescothick's 193 v. Pakistan at Multan in November 2005.

Bell and Collingwood going along nicely at the moment - but don't be surprised if England lose a flurry of quick wickets in pursuit of 600+.

Collingwood racks up his tenth Test century.

Colly goes for 145. Typically stubborn and in part, somewhat uncharacteristically exuberant batting from Collingwood. Went on a bit of a boundary rampage toward the end of his innings, probably hoping that Delhi don't forget him.


Now then, now, then now, then. Now.


The declaration....637/6.

England have declared.


599/6.d

DJ_Smerk wrote:Bell and Collingwood going along nicely at the moment - but don't be surprised if England lose a flurry of quick wickets in pursuit of 600+.

Is it that easy to woof England?

Horrendous batting from Kayes.


Cook and Broad had a plan and it worked, perfectly. Broad peppered him with short balls, got one to rattle off Imrul's helmet early in the over, then he scooped one behind the stumps to Prior.


13/1.

"Ian Bell, the specialist fielder" - Bob Willis