Here we go! Hello, good morning/afternoon, and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates’ post for the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, between the hosts England and the Asian tigers, Bangladesh in Group A. This is Suvajit Mustafi, and I will be bringing you the live cricket scores and updates from the contest that will be played at The Oval, London. While England remain the red-hot favourites to win this contest and take a step towards the next round, it will be daft to underestimate the Bangladeshi side which is ranked sixth in the ICC ODI Rankings at present. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, ICC Champions Trophy 2017, England vs Bangladesh – Match 1
For England, this is the biggest test. It was the same opponent — Bangladesh — who had shown them the exit doors in the last ICC event that England will be facing in this tournament. Back then, England looked outdated and years behind other teams. But a remarkable makeover has seen England transform into one of the most dangerous sides in the 50-over format, which has shattered several records and established itself firmly, far away from the ignominy that they went through in 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. If England are able to clinch this trophy, it will mark an end to the transformation phase completely.
On their part, Bangladesh are no more the pushovers. A formidable unit in their backyard, Bangladesh are always expected to punch above their weight. Recently, they humbled New Zealand playing in a tri-series in Ireland. The victory was followed by ICC’s certification that Bangladesh are truly progressing: the Mashrafe Mortaza-led side moved up to the sixth position in the global rankings.
However, if one has to pick a team between England and Bangladesh that is inconsistent, it would be Bangladesh. Soon after their feats in the tri-series, Bangladesh lost their first warm-up match to Pakistan by a mere 2 wickets, but it was India who handed them a mauling. Having conceded 324 versus India, Bangladesh were shot out for a poor 84, which would have dented the confidents to some extent.
Squads:
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Alex Hales, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler (wk), Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mehedi Hasan Miraj, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sanzamul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed.
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