England earn thumping win

England registered a thumping 144-run win over Bangladesh in the final One-Day International to seal the series 2-1.

England registered a thumping 144-run win over Bangladesh in the final One-Day International (ODI) to seal the series 2-1 at Edgbaston. A 250-run partnership between captain Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott led the way for a huge 348-run target for the tourists before England bowlers took it upon themselves to avenge the loss suffered on Saturday.

The series decider promised to be a thriller but Strauss and Trott combined to put on England’s highest partnership in one-day cricket to set a daunting task for the Bangladesh batsmen.

Strauss registered a career-best 154 and his fourth ODI century while Trott continued with his good form to register a maiden century. The partnership took the score to 251 and some quick wickets may have given the visitors some hope but Ravi Bopara – replacing the injured Ian Bell, who was ruled out of the Pakistan series as well – hit a quickfire 45 off just 16 deliveries to take his team close to 350.

If Bangladesh thought of a close finish, they were wrong. Anjum Shahzad pegged them back with two early wickets and things did not get easier. Bangladesh were soon reduced to 124 for seven before Mahmudullah and Abdur Razzak added an irritating 56 runs for the eight wicket. But by then the match was all but over.

Michael Yardy broke the stand and Ravi Bopara claimed two more wickets to finish with four for 39 from his 10 overs in an all-round performance.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2010.