England vs Bangla as Champions Trophy begins

London, May 31: Spectators have long been advised to get to sporting events early and they could miss the key part of Thursday’s Champions Trophy opener between England and Bangladesh at the Oval if they aren’t in on time.

Even in June, early morning cloud cover that aids swing is often a key part of English cricket conditions.

The proof came as recently as Monday when, across London at Lord’s, England collapsed to 20 for six in five overs — the worst start in oneday international history — against the South Africa new-ball duo of Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell.

A green-tinged pitch did not find favour with England captain Eoin Morgan but even on more placid surfaces the issue of how best to bat under grey skies, which can often set in all day in England, as many a cold fan knows, remains.

Bangladesh highlighted the issue in dramatic style by all out on 84 in reply to India’s 324 for seven in their final warmup match on Tuesday.

Defeat by 240 runs was certainly not want Bangladesh wanted any more than England wished to see their top order suffer such a spectacular slump against South Africa, even if they were 2-0 up in the three match series.

Yet it says something about England’s current ‘white-ball’ approach that Jonny Bairstow may not play at the Oval if allrounders Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes are fully fit.