Bangladesh eager to measure itself in opposition to England in ODIs

Bangladesh is eager to see how far it lags behind England — if in any respect — in one-day worldwide cricket.

Their three-match sequence begins right here on Wednesday, eight months out from the Cricket World Cup in India, the place England will defend the title.

Winning the sequence can be vital to maintain momentum going, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha stated, however there’s query marks about the place the hosts stand within the format seeing as they haven’t performed England in a sequence in additional than six years.

“If we have to lift ourselves for (England), that’s not the right motivation. We are playing for the national team, we always want to do well,” stated Hathurusingha, who begins his second stint as Bangladesh coach.

“They are the world champions. They have one team playing somewhere else, they have another team here. They have a mind-blowing depth of talent. We want to see where we are at, and find out the gap that we have to bridge. If we do well in these conditions, it will give us confidence.

“We have prepared well. We had a practice match and match scenario sessions. I was very impressed with the commitment shown by the players. They are very much ready.”

Dealing with England’s quick bowlers, led by the fit-again Jofra Archer, is the important thing for Hathurusingha.

“They have one of the best pace attacks in the world. They have five fast bowlers and three spinners on this tour,” he stated. “The challenge will be their fast bowlers.”

At the identical time, Hathurusingha believed matching England’s assured aggression is one of the best ways to cope with the guests.

“We played aggressive cricket in my last stint,” he stated. “You see only the action of the batters. There are many ways of playing aggressive cricket apart from hitting the ball out of the ground. It is the attitude that we are bringing, whether fielding, bowling or batting. We will be aggressive.”

Hathurusingha was unfazed by discuss of a rift between ODI captain Tamim Iqbal and star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan raised by Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan. Tamim additionally dismissed it, saying they work properly on the sphere which is all that counts.

“You don’t need to be best of friends to go out and have dinner,” Hathurusingha stated. “As long as it is not affecting (the team), I don’t see it as a problem.”

England has been the one customer to win a bilateral ODI sequence in Bangladesh since 2015. However, for the reason that 2-1 defeat to England in 2016, Bangladesh has gained seven successive ODI sequence at residence, together with in opposition to India 2-1 in December.

Bangladesh’s gradual, spin-friendly pitches are commonly powerful to deal with however England captain Jos Buttler believed the sequence can be preferrred preparation for the World Cup.

“We see Bangladesh as very tough to beat in their home conditions,” Buttler stated. “It is exactly the kind of challenge we need ahead of the World Cup.

“These are the conditions that would probably be the closest we can get to play in India.”

It can be the final abroad sequence England performs earlier than the World Cup.

England has misplaced its final 4 ODI sequence, together with in South Africa at first of the month.