Deadline: June 8, 2019 at 3 PM IST
Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Pitch and conditions
In the two matches played at Cardiff thus far, the batsmen were unable to keep the scoreboard ticking. More importantly, it hasn’t been a monopoly for pacers. Spinners too have had their share of fun, as Mohammad Nabi took 4 and Rashid Khan took 2 wickets against Sri Lanka. There’s enough zip in the wicket to trap the best of batsmen. To make matters more interesting, rain will make short appearances and make the conditions friendlier for the pacers.
Pick your best fantasy cricket team knowing the statistics.
Probable XI for England: Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Josh Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mustafizur Rahim
Head-to-head in World Cup
England (2) – Bangladesh (1)
History warns England of Bangladesh
England’s defeat against Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup is the reason for their spectacular turnaround in the format. The selectors replaced Alastair Cook with Eoin Morgan as the captain and changed the face of England cricket. England aren’t one of the favourites. They are the favorites to lift the World Cup.
Bangladesh haven’t changed one bit. They continue to be the giant killer, for they humbled South Africa and almost pulled off another upset against New Zealand.
If there is one area that England are far superior than Bangladesh in, it is their pace attack. The likes of Woakes, Wood, and Archer will be licking their lips, and it won’t come as a surprise if Morgan chooses to bowl first. Under the dark clouds and on a thick layer of grass, the pace trio will wreak havoc. Bangladesh’s pacers, on the other hand, have been ordinary. Mortaza especially has been unable to get any wicket. He has thus far conceded 81 runs in 9 overs.
Form guide
Shakib has scored 139 and taken 3 wickets in 2 matches, proving why he is the No. 1 all-rounder in the format. He bats at No. 3, mind you, when the ball still has its shine and moves around.
Mushfiqur unfortunately got run out against New Zealand. Until then he looked in an ominous touch. His 142-run stand against South Africa will remain one of the top highlights of this World Cup 2019.
Among bowlers, Mustafizur has been, despite not being at his best, their most effective bowler. He has taken 3 wickets.
England have one too many top performers. Joe Root and Jos Buttler blasted hundreds in the last match, and before that, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, and Ben Stokes had hammered stunning fifties.
For that matter, Jonny Bairstow is the only batsman who is yet to find his feet.
As many as three English bowlers have taken three-fors: Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, and Moeen Ali.
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