The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Cook hails England’s ‘X-factor’ allrounder
Cricket: Captain singles out Stokes after Bangladesh win
Alastair Cook had little doubt England would prevail against Bangladesh despite a tense end to the first Test in Chittagong yesterday that could have seen either side walk away with victory.
Bangladesh started the final morning needing just 33 runs for a maiden Test triumph against England, who required only two wickets to maintain their 100% winning record against the Tigers in the longest format.
It was the tourists who came out on top, claiming victory by 22 runs, after man-of-the-match Ben Stokes trapped both Taijul Islam and Shafiul Islam in front within the space of three deliveries.
Cook revealed he was in an upbeat mood beforehand, which was vindicated as England drew first blood after 21 balls and 19 minutes yesterday morning to end an engrossing Test match where momentum changed hands several times.
He said: “I was fairly confident this morning. I thought we’d create the chances, the doubt was whether we were good enough to take those chances.
“They might (have been) half chances. But I thought we’d create enough to win the game, so I was fairly relaxed.
“I did genuinely think 280 was going to be enough, I didn’t think it would get as close as that and the way they played spin, in particular, was very impressive.
“It was a brilliant Test. I certainly didn’t think after the first session that it would go to day five. It ebbed and flowed.”
England were firmly on the back foot after that opening session, during which they were reduced to 21 for three on a pitch that offered turn from the get go.
However, they had a 45-run first-innings lead after Bangladesh collapsed to 248 all out, having been 221 for four at one stage, which Cook believes proved critical to the outcome.
He said: “The crucial moment was probably the beginning of day three when they were 70 or 80 behind with five wickets in hand and we managed to get a lead. That was the crucial difference.”
Stokes was the catalyst for the collapse, finding some reverse swing which helped him finish with four for 26 before he displayed great maturity with 85 from 151 deliveries to steer England out of trouble and to a testing target.
The allrounder proved with that innings he can thrive on turning wickets, while he has also registered his maiden one-day hundred on this tour – and it was fitting that he was the one to clinch a thrilling victory for England.
Cook said: “I say it every single time we speak about him. The guy is that X-factor cricketer which every side would love to have. He balances our side, he gives us options.
“The one thing he has done over the last year is improve his method
“It was a brilliant Test. I certainly didn’t think it would go to day five”
against spin. I don’t want to say I’m surprised but it surprised me how well he scored that hundred (in the ODI series), it just showed what a lot of hard work can do and he can take a lot of credit for that.”
England are back in action in just four days in Dhaka for the second and final Test and Cook has admitted there are likely to be changes to the side.
He is mindful of the five-Test series against India that follows immediately after this tour, saying: “I’m pretty sure there will be some changes, just due to what we have coming up.”
Stokes, though, is adamant he does not need to be rested over the next few weeks, adding: “I’ll play all seven if I still get picked, I’d rather get dropped.”