ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Group B: Bangladesh v England
Venue: Chittagong Date: Friday, 11 March (0830 GMT)
Tournament dates: 19 February-2 April Venues: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Coverage: Highlights on BBC Two (see listings), Red Button & online at 2200 GMT (UK only); live Test Match Special commentary (BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online); text commentary online and mobiles; live on Sky Sports
Click to play
Pressure on Tremlett and Morgan - Strauss
England captain Andrew Strauss will not reveal the name of his new opening partner ahead of Friday's World Cup match with Bangladesh in Chittagong.
Kevin Pietersen, who had opened in the first four matches, was forced to go home on Monday for a hernia operation.
"I am very clear in my mind who will open, but will not say before the game has started," Strauss said.
The list of replacements is likely to include Ian Bell, wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Ravi Bopara.
Ahead of Friday's day-night game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium, Strauss added: "We are not nailed on playing the same combination all through. There is no reason why we can't change."
Strauss and England coach Andy Flower have to pick a new opening batsman in the absence of Pietersen for the remainder of the limited-overs competition.
As well as losing fast bowler Stuart Broad to injury, Pietersen's exit was another blow to England's hopes.
 | ADAM MOUNTFORD'S BLOG While I argue over excess baggage charges at check-in, Aggers is writing a voicepiece on his laptop. He has to find a rare 30-second gap between airport announcements and just manages to get the last word in before the next "bing bong" |
Strauss also refused to comment on speculation that England may select a third slow bowler in off-spinner James Tredwell to partner Graeme Swann and left-armer Michael Yardy.
"We will pick the right side," Strauss added. "We need to judge how the wicket will play. Past experience suggests there has been equal support for spinners and seamers."
England will secure a place in the quarter-finals if they defeat Bangladesh and West Indies beat Ireland in Mohali earlier on Friday.
Despite 13 victories in their last 14 matches against Bangladesh, including six successive away wins, Strauss remained adamant that their opponents should not be underestimated.
"Bangladesh are an absolutely dangerous side, especially at home," he said. "We are aware it's a must-win game for them and that will make them even more dangerous.
"Bangladeshi spinners are quality bowlers. And the crowd will be 100% behind them. It is going to be a hostile atmosphere for us, but if we want to win the World Cup we must play well in every environment."
Strauss said that if the new replacements - left-hand batsman Eoin Morgan and 6ft 7in Surrey paceman Chris Tremlett - were selected, they would have to be on top of their game.
"The loss is not ideal by any means," said Strauss. "Thankfully, Morgan has recovered from his finger injury and Tremlett has been here with us for some time.
"What is certain is that if they play, they will have to hit the ground running."
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan is confident his team can put the humiliation of being bowled out for 58 in their last match against West Indies behind them.
"I don't think this will be an issue for us. Such things happen once or twice in life," he said.
"We have in mind that we have returned from many bad situations in the past. We are prepared. All the players are confident."
"Eoin Morgan is a very good player, who has played well against us, so we have to be careful about him but I think we have a very, very good chance - because they are missing their two key players."
England (from): Andrew Strauss (captain), Ravi Bopara, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Michael Yardy, Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Paul Collingwood, James Tredwell.
Bangladesh (from): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Mahmudullah, Shahriar Nafees, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Nazmul Hossain.
0 comments:
Post a Comment