England in Bangladesh: Reasons to care

England playing cricket in Bangladesh is a hard tour to sell and likely to go under the sporting radar for most. Here The Worm offers a few pointers that might make the series worthy of your fleeting attention...

• The (vice-)captain

At the start of last summer Alastair Cook was struggling for form. Here, in Strauss’ absence, he has the chance to put that behind him and show whether he has the tactical acumen to be the long-term successor. His textbook interviews to the media reveal scant clues as to how he will perform; one can only hope that he will develop an aggressive and proactive leadership style.

• The other opening batsman

  That Cook was never under serious pressure in the summer demonstrated there were no obvious replacement openers. A debutant, most likely Michael Carberry, will take that role in a generous fledgling tour. Big runs from new faces is exciting no matter who they are playing. Which brings us nicely to…

• Craig Kieswetter

This Jo’burg-born wicket-keeper batsman hits big and scores quick. Expect him to be a fixture in the one-day side, good performances with the bat there could have him threatening Matt Prior's Test spot by the end of the year.

• Ajmal Shahzad

An aggressive if raw fast-bowling talent from Yorkshire who can also swing a bat. Likely to take wickets but possibly at a costly average. Is being carelessly touted as the replacement for Flintoff, surely he can’t live up to that expectation.

• Kevin Pietersen

  Has the talent, does he have the application? Needs runs, and if they do come they could come big (remember, this is a tour on which Jason Gillespie scored a double hundred).

• It’s an Ashes year

Every series is a chance for England to develop players, team cohesion and, perhaps of most relevance to Bangladesh, a ruthless and pitiless charge to victory. Success breeds success, and high standards must be expected on these unfavoured tours.

• Bangladesh

There are two teams in this series and without getting too excited Mohammed Ashraful is a competent player and Mashrafe Mortaza is a fast bowler to watch. There may be some novelty subcontinent fielding to enjoy too. And expect some beautiful scenery.

 

1^st ODI, Dhaka, Feb 28

2^nd ODI, Dhaka, Mar 2

3^rd ODI, Chittagong, Mar 5

1^st Test, Chittagong, Mar 12-16

2^nd Test, Mirpur, Mar 20-24