England wrap up easy win
Sunday, November 2 2003
A fine bowling performance led by Richard Johnson saw England end up with a convincing 329 run victory over Bangladesh today.
After much speculation as to whether they would go on, Michael Vaughan eventually decided to declare on the overnight total of 293-5, leaving Bangladesh 2 whole days to make 468 to win.
It was never really likely as Johnson struck in his first over to remove Hannan Sarkar - a great catch by Chris Read and it was 5-1.
The one true batsman of quality, Habibul Bashar, came in at number 3 and scored at a run a ball. Unfortunately, he only scored 21 before being the victim of a mix up and run out - 33-2 and the game was rapidly slipping away.
A succession of wickets fell as the batsmen played ositively (Kapali scoring 19 from 18 balls, and captain Mahmud 33 from 40 balls), but the bowling was good, with Johnson taking 4-44 for a second man of the match award in 2 games, and all the other seam bowlers picking up one apiece (even Rikki Clarke when he brought on for just 1 over)
It was a thoroughly professional performance for a comfortable victory, as all the players played their part - 5 of the top 6 all got half centuries (and Butcher who still made 42) - and the seam bowlers shared the wickets
around. The one black spot was Ashley Giles' failure to get a wicket, he only bowled 7 overs in the match, and could probably have benefitted from a longer spell to try and get his confidence back.
Read's catching superb as he claimed 5 victims in the innings, plus 2 in the first and 75 runs in the match.
Alec who?
England 326 a/o (Hussain 76, Trescothick 60, Clarke 55, Vaughan 54, Mortaza 4-60)
Bangladesh 152 a/o (Johnson 5-49)
England 293-5 dec. (Hussain 95, Thorpe 54, Butcher 42, Rafique 3-106)
Bangladesh 138 a/o (Johnson 4-44)
Man of the Match: Johnson
Man of the Series: Matthew Hoggard.
Posted by Marc
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