England win series
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt (right) looks to his right at Canada’s Andre DeGrasse during the men’s 200 metres semi-final during athletics competition inside the Olympic stadium at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (AP): BEN DUCKETT and Sam Billings scored half-centuries as England beat Bangladesh by four wickets in their third one-day international yesterday, sealing a 2-1 victory in the series.
The hosts compiled a solid 277-6, but England raced to victory with 13 balls to spare, playing methodical cricket and ending Bangladesh’s unbeaten run in their six bilateral series.
Duckett made 63, his second half-century in the series, while Billings, who replaced injured Jason Roy in the opening slot, added 62.
Those two knocks kept England on course and Ben Stokes, 47 not out, kept up the momentum to win a series, which became heated following a verbal spat between players of the two teams in the second match.
Tensions ran high after the incident, but it had no impact on yesterday’s match, although Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza collided with Billings in his third over and the two exchanged words.
“There was no impact of that incident in this match. They have really played well,” Mortaza said.
“There was lot of dew at the end and our spinners couldn’t grip the ball well. That was the factor.”
Billings, playing his first match in the series, shared 63 runs with James Vince in the opening stand to give the tourists a strong start.
RUN CHASE
“Physically and mentally, we’ve stood up. We wanted to set the tone and our opening partnership set up the run chase,” England captain Jos Buttler said.
Fast bowlers Mortaza and Shafiul Islam claimed two wickets apiece for Bangladesh.
Mushfiqur Rahim (67 n.o.) was instrumental earlier in Bangladesh’s total, combining with Mosaddek Hossain for 85 after the hosts were left on 192-6 in 39th over. Hossain was unbeaten on 38.
Tamim Iqbal and Kayes got the side off to a good start with an 80run partnership on a pitch that had been covered for the previous three days following constant rain.
Iqbal made 45 runs, during which he became the first Bangladeshi batsman to go past the 5,000-run mark. Kayes contributed 46 runs.
Sabbir Rahman also made a good start, but was dismissed on 49.
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid returned career best figures of 4-43.