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Cricket Discipline Commission panel expected to hear cases in September or October

David Hopps15-Jun-2022Yorkshire have received long-awaited notice that they will be charged, along with seven individuals, following an ECB investigation into racism and other allegations surrounding the club.The ECB has not named those under investigation at this stage. However, the evidence provided by Azeem Rafiq, the former Yorkshire player, to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee last November, and the results of Yorkshire’s independent investigation, is already well known.Yorkshire will be accused of failing to address a culture within the club that was hostile to minority-ethnic cricketers and of failing to respond to complaints about racism or discrimination in a proper manner.Although none of the current management team or players are associated with the period under review, the club remains responsible for historic actions. But a new regime that is committed to change is hardly likely to try to defend the actions of its predecessors and could well plead guilty, point to its commitment to change and just take the hit.As the hearings are likely to be concluded after the end of the season, and there remains no clarity on potential points deductions, that possibility is likely to hang over Yorkshire for the entire summer.However, individual administrators will not be charged because the Cricket Discipline Commission, which is in charge of disciplinary hearings in the domestic game, has no power to sit in judgment on administrators, who appear to escape the sort of individual scrutiny given to players, coaches, match referees, agents, members, ECB committee members, and any others who have agreed in writing to be bound by the rules.The ECB has yet to remark whether it regards that as a glaring oversight that it intends to remedy.The charges arise from alleged breaches of ECB Directive 3.3 which states: “No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.”Related

• Yorkshire face grim fight for survival as grim season reaches climax

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The cases are expected to be heard by a CDC independent panel in September or October this year, although this has been one of the most complex and potentially problematic cases ever considered by the commission and legal representations on behalf of some of those accused could yet push back the hearing into next year. Hearings could last for more than a week and will involve cross-examination of those who have provided witness statements.An ECB statement said “The ECB’s investigation has been thorough and complex, with the allegations covering a significant period of time and a number of witnesses and other individuals coming forward to share their own experiences and allegations. The ECB is grateful to all those who have taken the time to speak with the investigating team.”In matters of this nature, our normal practice is not to identify individuals charged at this stage. This decision is taken on a case-by-case basis. It is however standard practice for the CDC disciplinary panel to publish its decisions and written reasons in full following the hearing.”Only one player who has faced racism allegations, Gary Ballance, remains on Yorkshire’s books, although he has not played all season and remains on open-ended leave because of mental health issues, his return seemingly more unlikely with every passing month.Ballance has apologised for using the term “P**i” in conversations with Azeem Rafiq, whose whistle-blowing last year laid bare the full extent of Yorkshire’s ills, but he has insisted the context was not racist and was intended as “banter”. Others have also vigorously denied culpability.Two former coaches, Andrew Gale and Richard Pyrah, are among those currently pursuing claims for wrongful dismissals following the mass removal of 16 members of the Yorkshire staff. Earlier this month, they were among six members of the coaching staff who won the right for their case to be heard at a full employment tribunal in Leeds in the autumn. Judicial mediation will now take place before an employment judge in an effort to broker an agreement ahead of any tribunal hearing.Former players who have faced allegations include three former England players, Michael Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard and Tim Bresnan. Vaughan and Bresnan have repeatedly denied making racist remarks to Rafiq, and Bresnan called time on his career at Warwickshire before the start of this season. Hoggard phoned Rafiq to apologise for how his remarks had been interpreted and Rafiq said that that his apology had been accepted.Yorkshire’s new regime have made it clear that their ability to respond could be limited by the refusal of those in charge at the time to provide information. As co-operation is unlikely – even somewhat unwelcome for a new Board that is committed to promoting diversity – they may have little option but to subtly distance themselves from the outcome.They responded: “For clarity, YCCC notes that the allegations relate to charges as far back as 2004 up until 2021 and the Club will need the cooperation of those in position during this time in order to fully consider and respond to the matters raised.”Unless and until that cooperation by those with first-hand knowledge and responsibility during the relevant period is forthcoming, the Club is not able to comment on the investigation, evidence, report or charges but will, of course, continue to fully cooperate with the CDC throughout this process.”Rafiq welcomed the ECB’s announcement, saying he hoped “we can move to the hearing quickly”. “This has been another gruelling but unfortunately necessary process,” Rafiq said. “It has been a long two years since I went public about my experiences, but I hope this all means that no young player ever goes through such pain and alienation again. My preference would be for this hearing to take place publicly, but I am hopeful that we are at least nearing a point where there will be some sense of closure for my family and me.”

“He’s someone I have a lot of time for – someone that I believe has a lot of talent,” Bravo says of Khan

Barny Read02-Feb-2021Ali Khan paid homage to long-term mentor Dwayne Bravo, who was equally chuffed with the USA seamer’s latest T10 League heroics that saw Khan take three wickets in just five balls. But Khan would be be denied the chance of a hat-trick, thanks to a deep finger cut on his bowling hand that put the leading wicket-taker in doubt for the remainder of the competition.Khan was unable to finish his over thanks to the cut that came from his diving catch that removed dangerman Tom Kohler-Cadmore, but had already done enough to claim Man-of-the-Match honours with his figures of 3 for 0 in 0.5 overs that restricted the Pune Devils to just 57 for 7 from their ten overs.Even with his fourth finger busted open, the 30-year-old removed Alex Davies with his first ball before bowling two dots that preceded the wickets of Nasir Hossain and Karan KC in immediate succession. After his 2 for 4 against the Gladiators the previous day, it secured a second Man-of-the-Match award in less than 24 hours for the Delhi Bulls quick. Khan said the support of Bravo has been a key factor in his excellent form with the ball.Related

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“It’s a really nice setup. DJ Bravo is a really good captain, a leader both on and off the field and gives you a lot of confidence,” Khan said. “Especially in T10, [because] you can go for a lot of runs. He’s always the kind of leader who comes back and backs you and keeps you confident and gets you ready for the next ball.”Bravo has played an important role in Khan’s ascent as a cricketer. It was the West Indies all-rounder who had plucked Khan from a US Open T20 tournament in 2017, and has since taken the pacer with him to the Global T20 in Canada as well as the Caribbean Premier League.That led to Khan being selected for the first time at the last edition of the Indian Premier League, and these milestones in Khan’s career – as well as performances such as those over the past two days – give Bravo an enormous sense of pride.”He’s someone I have a lot of time for – someone that I believe has a lot of talent and to see the way he bowled today with a lot of pace and aggression to pick up wickets, he’s very good for our team,” Bravo said.”He’s someone who’s special to me, because I saw him in the US playing and I invited him to play for my team in Trinidad and since then, he’s done very well. Every time he does good, I feel good.”Khan now has seven wickets from just less than eight overs in the Abu Dhabi T10, with strike rate of just 6.7 and would be a big miss for the Bulls should he not return for the remainder of the tournament. He was also denied a historic IPL debut with the Kolkata Knight Riders, as a side strain ultimately ended his time with the franchise and resulted in his release when the retention lists were drawn up last month.Khan will be hoping that his T10 exploits don’t end in the same disappointment, and fortunately for both the player and his Super League leading team, they are guaranteed a spot in Friday’s set of knockouts with a game to go. It means they may have just enough time to get Khan sewn up and back into their attack by the weekend.”We’re going to get stitches now, so let’s see how it feels by tomorrow,” Khan said. “If it needs to be rested because we’re in a good position, we have that luxury of having getting a rest. So we’ll see how it comes out in the next couple of days and if I can be ready for the playoffs.”

Worcestershire dismisses for 205 as promotion-chasing Glamorgan take grip

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2019Glamorgan 44 for 2 trail Worcestershire 205 (Hogan 4-53) by 161 runs
Michael Hogan and fit-again Timm van der Gugten established a position of strength with the ball for promotion-chasing Glamorgan on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road.Hogan remains a potent threat at the age of 38 and his return of 4 for 36 took his wicket tally for the campaign to 36 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 205 in 70 overs after an uncontested toss. It followed on from his 5 for 62 against the same opponents in the corresponding fixture at Cardiff in late June.Van der Gugten had suffered a back injury in that game but marked his return with three wickets including the prized scalp of England allrounder Moeen Ali.Only Daryl Mitchell, in his 200th first class game for Worcestershire, Riki Wessels, with a expansive 45, and Ed Barnard offered much resistance in another below-par batting performance from the home side.The inability of the top five to score consistently has been a prime reason for a disappointing red-ball campaign in contrast to Worcestershire’s success in the Vitality Blast in which they booked another spot at finals day on September 21. But Glamorgan’s focus is on achieving promotion for the first time since 2004.Although Nick Selman and Tom Cullen departed cheaply, by the close West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite had moved on to a patient 15 out of 44 for 2 on his Glamorgan debut.Hogan made the first breakthrough of the day when bowling Hamish Rutherford after beating his defensive push.Moeen had scored a brilliant hundred against Sussex in Friday’s Blast quarter-final win at Hove. Here he managed only 18 before falling victim to van der Gugten after driving hard at the paceman and edging to Selman who held on to a low chance at third slip.Mitchell needed 24 balls to get off the mark but looked solid in defence in batting through the morning session for an unbeaten 31. But the visitors’ attack turned the screw once Hogan had returned to dismiss Mitchell in the second over after the resumption.He dabbed at a fine delivery and only succeeded in nicking through to keeper Chris Cooke to end his 103-ball knock of 36. Alex Milton provided Cooke with another catch off Lukas Carey and then Jack Haynes, who shouldered arms, and Ben Cox were both lbw to van der Gugten.Wessels innings was a mixture of fine drives and fortuitous edges and always entertaining. He faced only 35 deliveries and struck eight fours before he drilled Rory Smith straight to mid-off.Club captain Joe Leach went for an on drive against Smith and was leg before and Hogan accounted for tailenders Charlie Morris and Adam Finch to leave Barnard unbeaten on 29.When Glamorgan replied, they also encountered some disciplined bowling with Selman falling at first slip off Morris and Cullen aiming a lavish drive at Barnard and being caught behind.

Sussex, who claimed a quarter-final place with three wins in less than a week, have been rewarded with a 500-mile round trip to Chester-le-Street in the quarter-final draw

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Aug-2018Sussex, who claimed a quarter-final place with three wins in less than a week, have been rewarded with a 500-mile round trip to Chester-le-Street where they will meet the North Group’s surprise packets, Durham.Quarter-final ties:Kent Spitfires v Lancashire Lightning – Thursday 23 August (7pm)
Durham Jets v Sussex Sharks – Friday 24 August (6.30pm)
Worcestershire Rapids v Gloucestershire – Saturday 25 August (3pm)
Somerset v Nottinghamshire Outlaws – Sunday 26 August (3pm)

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches played on May 6, 2017

Mohammad Isam06-May-2017Gazi Group Cricketers took a four-point lead at the top of the Dhaka Premier League points table after their ten-run win over Brothers Union at the BKSP-3 Ground in Savar. Abu Hider’s four-wicket haul made the difference for Gazi Group at the end of a tense battle.Set 237 to beat the in-form team of the competition, Alok Kapali and Manvinder Bisla added 78 runs for the fourth wicket after Brothers Union lost three early wickets. When Manvinder fell in the 39th over, having added 60 runs for the sixth wicket with Dhiman Ghosh, Gazi Group took charge of the game.Even though Myshukur Rahaman tried to inspire Brothers Union’s lower-order to an end-innings fightback with a run-a-ball 38, Hider’s late strikes, culminating in figures of 4 for 52, ensured the opposition was bowled out for 226 in 48.5 overs. Mahedi Hasan and Shahidul Islam finished with two wickets each.Earlier, Gazi Group’s innings was headlined by a 97-ball 93 from wicketkeeper Anamul Haque, who strung a third-wicket 89-run stand with Suhrawadi Shuvo (41) and a 59-run fifth-wicket partnership with captain Nadif Chowdhury (33), before Mohammad Saddam and Kapali scalped three wickets apiece to skittle Gazi Group for 236 in 48.4 overs.Partex Sporting Club registered their first win this season after handing Kalabagan Krira Chakra a 62-run drubbing at the KSOA Stadium in Fatullah.Having been put in to bat, Partex posted 278 for 5 in 50 overs, piloted by a 52-run stand between Irfan Sukkur (58) and Sajjad Hossain (46) for the third wicket. Sukkur and and Sazzadul Haque (53) then put on 95 runs for the fourth wicket. Jubair Ahmed (16) and Rajibul Islam (30) took Partex past 250 runs, adding 42 unbroken runs for the sixth wicket in the last 4.4 overs.Samad returned the best figures for Kalabagan, finishing with 3 for 50 from his ten overs.In reply, despite having four experienced batsmen, Kalabagan failed to play out their full quota of 50 overs, folding for 216 in 46.1 overs. Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 45 while openers Mehrab Hossain jnr and Mohammad Ashraful struggled to make any impact, registering scores of 11 and 12 respectively. Kalabagan’s woes were compounded by Imran Ali, who bagged a five-wicket haul in only his second List-A game. Among his victims were Masakadza and captain Tushar Imran, who fell for a four-ball duck.Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity moved to eighth position on the points table after Robiul Islam Robi struck a 126-ball 103 to set up a 20-run victory over fifth-placed Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the BKSP-4 Ground.Having elected to bat, Khelaghar opener Robi clobbered ten fours and two sixes enroute to his second List-A century this season. He added 83 for the first wicket with Salahuddin Pappu (46) before adding 126 for the third wicket with Amit Majumder, who struck 58 off 74 balls. Abdur Razzak picked up his second five-for of the season, as Khelaghar posted 266 for 8 in 50 overs.Dhanmondi Club were reduced to 22 for 3 in the fourth over but Prashant Chopra (44) and Rajin Saleh (76) added 53 for the fourth wicket to resuscitate the chase. Rajin and the in-form Ziaur Rahman (75) then led Dhanmond’s rally with an emphatic 108-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, Ziaur’s dismissal in the 35th over triggered a lower-order collapse as Dhanmondi lost their last five wickets for 51 runs before being bowled out for 246 in 47.2 overs. Abdur retired hurt with a leg injury after he fell badly while putting in a dive to get back in the crease. Tanvir Islam scalped four wickets to help Khelaghar register their third win of the tournament.

A round-up of the Sunfoil series matches that finished on March 13, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2016Bad light curtailed a thrilling chase at Kingsmead, where Dolphins fell 18 runs short of a mammoth target of 354. The evening’s events seemed highly unlikely when they were reduced to 2 for 1 at lunch, but out came Vaughn van Jaarsveld and took control with a measured century. He took the side to tea at 149 for 1. But Titans wouldn’t have been too worried. The required rate was still above eight an over and they had dismissed Jonathan Vandiar, who had chipped in with 69, and Khaya Zondo for a duck. Even with wickets in hand, 141 off 102 balls was a tough ask. But scoreboard pressure did not leave Dolphins all at sea.Van Jaarsveld fell for 124 off 156 balls and big-hitting allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo walked in with Dolphins 100 runs shy of their target with 12 overs left.Phehlukwayo cracked 40 off 24 balls with two fours and three sixes to push Dolphins ahead again. He was at the crease, looking at an asking rate of a mere 4.5. Titans needed four wickets in four overs. They had the express Marchant de Lange in fine form too – 4 for 90 in addition to 3 for 92 in the first innings. All was set for a photo finish, except the light gave out.Van Jaarsveld had starred in that first innings as well when Dolphins declared on 306 for 4 in the 92nd over, trailing Titans’ 451 presumably in an effort to force a victory. His 92 off 162 balls wasn’t the top score though. That belonged to opener Sarel Erwee with 108 off 232 balls.Titans’ second innings lasted most of the morning as they hoped to eat into the time left for the chase. Heino Kuhn (80) and Dean Elgar (66) provided the bulk of their total of 208 for 4 when the declaration came.Kuhn had a very productive match, he made 96 in the first innings and Titans were powered to their 400-plus total by a century from Qaasim Adams, who was batting at No. 6. A high-scoring match was primed for a high-scoring chase, but it was not to be.A seven-wicket haul from Duanne Olivier was complemented by Rudi Second’s half-century to secure Knights a 10-wicket victory over Lions in the Sunfoil Series.Lions were asked to bat in Johannesburg and they didn’t quite go about it well enough. There were four ducks, and only their opener and captain Stephen Cook (43) and Temba Bavuma (28 off 71 balls) managed to spend enough time in the middle. There were four ducks as Olivier picked up 3 for 34 and Malusi Siboto finished with 3 for 35 and Lions were bundled out for 144.Knights’ innings was fed by Second’s 70 off 157 balls with nine fours and Shadley van Schalkwyk’s half-century when he came in to bat at No. 8. Hardus Viljoen and Dwaine Pretorius picked up three wickets each, but the total had by then swollen to 248.With a lead of 104 runs, Knights’ bowlers set about dismantling the Lions line-up again. There were five single-digit scores and again Cook was the top-scorer with 42 off 90 balls. Olivier was skillful with the new ball again, with 4 for 63. Lions were rolled over for 214, leaving Knights a target of 115. Openers Reeza Hendricks and Michael Erlank hit fifties to seal a 10-wicket victory.

Michael Klinger once again led from the front as Gloucestershire kept alive their hopes of a place in the Yorkshire Bank 40 semi-finals

18-Aug-2013
ScorecardMichael Klinger’s outstanding form was again central to Gloucestershire’s success•Getty Images

Michael Klinger once again led from the front as Gloucestershire kept alive their hopes of a place in the Yorkshire Bank 40 semi-finals with a thrilling two-wicket Group C win over Glamorgan at Bristol.The captain took his run tally in the competition to 662 at an average of 94.57 by scoring 87 to help the hosts to their target of 248 with just one ball to spare. Hamish Marshall contributed 55, while Dean Cosker claimed 2 for 28 from his eight overs.Gareth Rees had scored 83 off 110 balls to provide the backbone to Glamorgan’s 247 for 7 after winning the toss, with Murray Goodwin also making a brisk 49 and Tom Smith returning two for 43.Rees might have been run out in the opening over of the game as Mark Wallace sent him back attempting a single to backward point. Ian Cockbain’s shy at the stumps missed when he could have given wicket-keeper Gareth Roderick time to get to the stumps.The Glamorgan openers went on to build a half-century stand before Wallace departed for 18, caught at deep square as he pulled a ball from David Payne. Gloucestershire introduced the left-arm spin of Smith for the 16th over and the loan recruit from Middlesex had Chris Cooke caught behind cutting for 19 with the total on 83.It was 95 for 3 when Marcus North fell cheaply to Smith. Rees reached fifty off 62 balls, with five fours, and survived a stumping chance off Smith when on 63.After Jim Allenby lifted a catch to deep midwicket off Benny Howell, Goodwin supplied the necessary acceleration with six fours in his 32-ball innings, helping the score to 199 when he gave a catch to backward point.Graham Wagg hit a straight six in making 19 before being yorked by Craig Miles and Rees took successive boundaries off the penultimate over, bowled by Payne before being caught at mid-off to give Miles a second wicket.Gloucestershire made a confident start in reply as Klinger and Marshall put together a century opening stand, the latter hitting six fours in his 43-ball innings before offering a return catch to Cosker.Klinger continued his love affair with the competition, striking nine fours in facing 99 deliveries before getting an inside edge on to his stumps off Simon Jones with 49 runs still needed.There were nerves in the home dressing room when Alex Gidman followed for 28, but Howell played a key role with a six and a four off Jones in the 38th over, which cost the seamer 17, followed by another six off Wagg.Wagg responded with two wickets in the same over, but the home side began the final one from Michael Hogan needing only five. He removed Smith caught and bowled, but James Fuller hit the winning boundary.The result puts Gloucestershire level on points with group leaders Somerset, with the two arch-rivals facing each other at Bristol in the final group match tomorrow week. Glamorgan are two points adrift, but have two games remaining, at home to Leicestershire next Sunday and away to Yorkshire 24 hours later.

The 2012-13 New Zealand domestic season will feature 12 televised HRV Cup matches, on Friday nights during the Christmas holiday period

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-2012The 2012-13 New Zealand domestic season will feature 12 televised HRV Cup matches, on Friday nights during the Christmas holiday period. New Zealand chief executive David White, in a board release, said the deal to broadcast part of the domestic Twenty20 competition was ‘an excellent result’ for the sport in the country.”Having the HRV Cup on Friday nights is an excellent result for cricket, with more people getting the chance to see top quality competition. We believe it’s the best of both worlds,” White said. “There’s the opportunity to showcase the HRV Cup in living rooms across the country throughout November and December, while still catering for cricket lovers during the popular holiday period.”The HRV Cup will be played from November 2 to January 20, with the 50-overs competition, the Ford Trophy following. The Ford Trophy will have a five-week window: the first of eight rounds begin on February 26, with the final on March 30, also set to be televised.The first-class tournament, the Plunket Shield, will be played on either side of Christmas: the first 16 rounds will be played before Christmas, and the remaining 14 from the end of January.

Lahiru Thirimanne pushed for a berth in Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test with an unbeaten 100 for the Board XI against the Australians on the final day of the tour match at the P Sara Oval

The Report by Daniel Brettig at P Sara Oval 27-Aug-2011
Scorecard
Michael Clarke retired after reaching his century•AFP

Lahiru Thirimanne pressed for a berth in Sri Lanka’s team for the first Test with an unbeaten 100 for the Board XI against the Australians on the final day of the tour match. His determined and at times handsome innings also served to cloud Australia’s spin bowling plans for the first Test at Galle, as neither Michael Beer nor Nathan Lyon were able to pose too great a threat on a pitch that offered sizeable rough and some sharp turn.The Australians had been bowled out for 393, the captain Michael Clarke retiring after a suave 104, before the Board XI sailed smoothly to 174 for 2 by the time the teams agreed to an early close at about 4pm local time.Trent Copeland, with 1 for 14, and Ryan Harris again looked the tourists’ most likely bowlers, though Lyon (1 for 51) was able to claim the wicket of Thilan Samaraweera. Beer was the more economical of the pair, leaving the selectors a choice between promise and parsimony. It now seems unlikely that both will play in the Test, which starts on Wednesday.Clarke began the final morning intent on a century, which arrived at a considerable clip in the company of Harris after Peter Siddle played on and Copeland edged behind. Intent on remedying a drought of Test runs in the year leading up to his appointment as captain, Clarke showed precision, verve and some power off both front and back foot, against pace and spin.Kosala Kulasekara drew perhaps Clarke’s only false stroke, a top-edged hook that landed safely short of two men out for the shot, and followed it up with a few sharp words. Clarke responded spikily and the dialogue continued at the non-striker’s end. From there Clarke showed as much belligerence as elegance, and retired soon after reaching three figures in only 123 balls – he met the milestone with a most perfunctory wave of the bat.Harris made 26 before he was last out on the stroke of lunch, opening the afternoon for an audition by Lyon and Beer. Lyon was on first following the exit of Tharanga Paranavitana, edging Copeland behind, and immediately gained some turn. His flight raised the eyes of Samaraweera, who advanced once to clout Lyon for six, again to collect four via a thick inside edge and a third time for a skied drive and a catch to mid-on.This episode provided decent evidence of Lyon’s belief and attacking approach against a batsman intent on doing likewise, but he did not follow it up with further wickets. At the other end Beer was taken for 10 from his first over, but dropped onto a length subsequently and spun one delivery past Angelo Mathews as he sauntered forward, though the square-leg umpire ignored Brad Haddin’s stumping appeal.Neither Lyon nor Beer were able to tie down the local batsmen, and it may be helpful for the Australian selectors on tour to recall that the previous Test in Galle was a high-scoring draw, in which Suraj Randiv and Ajantha Mendis had to bowl a combined 107 overs for their nine wickets in the visitors’ first innings.Siddle’s place in the Test XI was open to question after the first innings, and his second effort did little to improve his position. He bowled a little better than on the first day, when a majority of his deliveries were pitched too short, but runs still accrued at too free a rate.Thirimanne played instead of an injured Tillakaratne Dilshan during the Sri Lankans’ Test series in England, and largely looked the part against the Australians. He was accompanied towards the end by Mathews, who played unobtrusively but well enough as the shadows lengthened.

Cricinfo previews the deciding ODI between England and Bangladesh at Edgbaston

The Preview by Sahil Dutta11-Jul-2010

Match facts

July 12, 2010, Edgbaston
Start time 10.45am (9.45GMT)Can Bangladesh do it again?•Getty Images

Big picture

Bangladesh lit up their English summer and breathed life into the series with their shock triumph in the second game at Bristol. Having gone 15 ODI matches and 247 days without victory they turned their fortunes around with a display of remarkable hunger and spirit.England were outplayed but Andrew Strauss would accept his team were a touch casual. Fielding lapses, ill-disciplined bowling and some loose shots betrayed a side not operating at full intensity. Defeat to set up a series decider at Edgbaston should stir them.While it was Bangladesh who were parachuting in replacements for Saturday’s game, it’s England now who have the concerns. Ravi Bopara has had to come into the squad after Ian Bell fractured his left foot and there must be some worry over the form of James Anderson.Since being left out of England’s triumphant World Twenty20 side Anderson has cut a forlorn figure and his returns this summer – seven wickets in five matches against Australia and three expensive scalps in this series – have been poor. Tamim Iqbal’s flashing blade is enough to unsettle even the steeliest of bowlers but, in the crunch game, Anderson must prove he can rise to the mantle expected of England’s most experienced bowler.Really though, there is only one story. Bangladesh are chasing a dream series win that just two games ago looked completely unthinkable. They won’t start favourites, they rarely do, but they could finish on top of the world.

Form guide (last five completed matches)

England LWLLW

Bangladesh WLLLL

Watch out for…

Andrew Strauss has been in sublime touch this series and has, by some distance, looked England’s best batsman. Curiously for a man with 18 Test hundreds, Strauss’s conversion rate in one-day cricket is poor. England have talked for a long time about making more centuries and given his form at the top of the order, the captain could set the example at Edgbaston by scoring his fourth. Rubel Hossain turned the game at Bristol on its head when his pacey slingers removed England’s openers. Missing from the first match he gave the Bangladesh attack some much-needed fire to accompany the wily spin duo of Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan. He will need to provide the same incision if Bangladesh are going to have a chance.

Team news

For the England selectors there is the familiar problem of balance. Six batsmen would mean Ravi Bopara gets his first chance since September 2009 but force James Tredwell out again and leave the attack looking a touch one-paced.Five batsmen may nudge Ajmal Shahzad, who impressed with three wickets at Bristol, aside because of Tim Bresnan’s more robust lower-order batting. But new-ball wickets have been a problem for England for a while so they’ll be reluctant to let Shahzad go.England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Michael Yardy, 7 Luke Wright, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson.Having secured a historic victory Bangladesh won’t be in a rush to meddle with the side. Expect an unchanged line up at Edgbaston.Bangladesh (possible) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Jahurul Islam (wk), 5 Mohammad Ashraful, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Rubel Hossain, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Abdur Razzak, 11 Shafiul Islam

Pitch and conditions

Fortress Edgbaston has been a happy hunting ground for England over the last few years. Most recently though, the Barmy Army was replaced by an equally vociferous Pakistani crowd for the two Twenty20 games Pakistan played against Australia. It made for a thrilling atmosphere and both teams will hope for similar capacity-crowds for the series decider. Edgbaston has been a high-scoring ground in limited-overs cricket this season and will suit the free-flowing batsmen in both teams.

Stats and Trivia

• Bangladesh have only one memory of Edgbaston, and it’s not a happy one. In 2004 they were bowled out for 93 in their Champions Trophy game against South Africa. Only one member of their side from that day survives – Mohammad Ashraful.
• Apart from a depleted West Indies team ravaged by contract disputes, Bangladesh have never beaten a major Test-playing nation in a one-day series.

Quotes

“I’ve said before there were a few chinks in the armour of this England team and I guess them leaving a few players out of their side weakened them a bit.”
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“Ruthlessness is a skill in itself and it’s something we need to keep improving on.”
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