Historic day for Bangladesh

2nd ODI Bristol, Bangladesh beat England by 5 runs
Bangladesh 236-7 (50 overs), England 231 all out (49.3 overs)

Bit of a shock today and fair play to Bangladesh, who recorded their first ever victory in 20 attempts against England. It was a deserved success as they were the hungrier team, as a complacent England side paid the penalty for sloppy fielding, careless batting, and for playing a weakened side. All of this comes after yet another meaningless one day international in a congested fixture list all designed to milk the cash cow for the ECB until every drop has been bled dry, so chairman Clarke can puff on another fat cigar.

A bad day for Ian Bell who landed badly jumping for a catch and who broke a bone in his foot, putting him out of the Pakistan series. A silver lining though as it will bring in Eoin Morgan for the tests and possibly into a starting place for the Ashes.

So a decider on Monday; unlikely to be in front of a full house.

Another triumph for the ECB

1st ODI v Bangladesh at Trent Bridge; England won by 6 wickets
Bangladesh 250-9 (50 overs), England 251-4 (45.1 overs)

As widely expected England cantered to victory over Bangladesh yesterday but the real story was the half empty stadium. Punters are starting to understandably recoil as the ECB seek to rob every last coin from long suffering fans.

Yesterday's game was according to the freeloading commentators moderately priced, but the cheapest adult ticket was still £30. This against moderate opposition with the big England star Pietersen absent through injury, with Swann rested.

There's talk already about 20/20 swamping the schedule and counties playing too many matches; none of this should surprise English cricket followers as the ECB and the authorities are desperate to flog the game for every pound they can get. People should never forget the fraudster and joker the authorities greeted like the Messiah less than 2 years ago:



England v Pakistan in another meaningless ODI in late September (a day nighter - when it will probably rain) is £53. No wonder Surrey CCC have tickets available.

14 50 over ODIs England will have played between May and September - it is an absolute joke. Either do something about it or reduce the admission to a tenner a game.

Take a look at the ICC future tours programme and you'll see England are scheduled to play at least 25 50 over ODIs in 2011. 7 against Australia at the start of the year, at least 3 in the World Cup, then 5 against Sri Lanka, andother 5 against India at home, then 5 more against India away.

Series ends with a whimper

5th ODI Lords, Australia 277-7 bt England 235 by 42 runs

A close series that sets up a very interesting Ashes contest this winter. Australia are nowhere near the side they used to be, but they possess enough quality to make them favourites to win back the Ashes, thanks to a superior batting line-up.

We've not learnt much from this series in terms of England personnel. Swann and Yardy look a great spin combination for one day stuff; why Strauss didn't give them 20 overs today God only knows. Kieswetter is the one day keeper, though Prior is scoring a hatful of 20/20 runs for Sussex. KP has gone 16 innings without a 50-over 50, yet was man of the series in the 20/20. KP is on record saying he things 50-over cricket is finished, and Fourth Slip doesn't disagree.

More cash being coined for the ECB over the next few weeks with three utterly meaningless matches against a Bangladesh side battered by Sussex today. England could and should field a C team and would still demolish them.

Series won, shame the footballers let the nation down

3rd ODI Old Trafford; England 214-9 (49.1 overs) bt Australia (212 all out 46 overs) by 1 wicket

Great performance today from the lads to secure a 3-0 win over Australia. Shame the whole day was overshadowed by the most miserable, pathetic, limp-wristed, shambolic and pitiful performance from an England football team for many years.

Aussies crushed for second time inside 48 hours

2nd ODI Cardiff, England 243-6 (45.2 overs) bt Australia 239-7 by 4 wickets

On Tuesday it was a cruise with four overs to spare. Today it was almost five overs in hand when England eased over the winning line when Swanny smashed a six. Broad was the star of the show on his 24th birthday with four wickets, and it was the bowlers who set up today's victory restricting Australia to a below-par 239.

The chase never looked in doubt although there were a couple of mini-wobbles. Kieswetter, KP and Strauss all got themselves out trying to be ultra aggressive, but this England one-day confident outfit now bats deep, and Bresnan and Swann saw us home with some degree of comfort.

Andrew Strauss had only ever hit 10 sixes in ODIs today in 100 innings - today he added 2 more, amidst signs he is rapidly adjusting to life in the adventurous England one day batting line-up.

Seven wins on the spin now for England in the 50-over format; let's not forget we are also the reigning 20/20 world champions.

Morgan continues to shine

First ODI, Rose Bowl: England 268-6 (46 ovs) bt Australia 267-7 (50 ovs) by 4 wickets

This was a conclusive victory by an England side high in confidence. Four overs is a big margin particularly when chasing a competitive score, and it was thanks once again to Eoin Morgan with 103 not out off 85 balls.

At 97-4 in the chase the match was in the balance but Morgan once again showed superb composure plus a dazzling array of inventive shots to send the Aussies packing and set up England for the series.

Earlier England looked a bit sloppy in the field and there was some slack bowling from Broady. Yardy and Wright clawed it back with tight spells.

The next match takes place in Cardiff on Thursday.

Bangladesh crushed in two sessions

Old Trafford 2nd Test, day 3; England 419; Bangladesh 216 & 123

Bangladesh effectively lost all their 20 wickets in just two sessions - one yesterday, one today, to give England a deserved 2-0 series lead and warm the lads up nicely for the summer ahead.

Finn lived up to the prediction from Fourth Slip earlier in the year with the man of the series award with 15 wickets at 17 apiece. Shazad looked useful in having a touch of reverse swing. Bell and Trott both batted well for centuries in the series.

Cook and Morgan did not have great series; for Prior the jury is still out as to whether Kieswetter might replace him for the Ashes. Collingwood and Broad will come back for the Pakistan series; Finn will retain his place.

But it is good to see England moving on, we've got 2 genuinely useful bowling prospects now in Finn and Shazad, and I think Kieswetter may be closer to the Test team after the 9 one-day games (the squad for which is announced on Thursday).

Looking ahead 5 months - playing Kieswetter at 6 in the Test squad would allow England to start the Ashes with 5 bowlers in a similar line-up to 2005: Finn, Broad, Anderson, Shazad; Swann as the spinner, and a front 5 of Strauss, Cook, Bell, KP, Collingwood.