Steely Bell chimes again as England cruise to easy win
IAN BELL marked his return to the one-day side with a match-winning knock as
England cruised to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first of their three-match series.
The Warwickshire batsman, making his first ODI appearance since November 2008, followed up his 158 for the Lions against India A on Tuesday with a splendid 84 not out as England cruised to their victory target of 251 with 29 balls to spare.
It signalled yet another impressive comeback for the 28-year-old, who has now worked his way back into the Test and one-day fold with gritty displays.
Captain Andrew Strauss, who has also had his suitability questioned for 50-over cricket in the past, added a quickfire 50 from 37 balls.
But for Bangladesh, it capped a rather forgetful day as wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and batsman Raqibul Hasan suffered injuries which could rule them out for the remainder of the series.
Rahim was taken to hospital after being struck in the eye by a turning delivery from Faisal Hossain, while Raqibul was struck on the foot by a James Anderson yorker before going onto top-score with 76.
His knock helped Bangladesh to 250-9, although at 222-4, the Tigers might have expected to set their hosts a bigger target.
As it was, Anderson took 3-74, while Stuart Broad, just 24 hours after the death of his stepmother, and Tim Bresnan, claimed two wickets apiece.
England never looked in danger as they chased down the target. Strauss and Craig Kieswetter (32) piled on an opening stand of 75 off 66 balls, leaving Bell and Paul Collingwood to take charge after their work was done.
Collingwood added 33 before top-edging a sweep off Shakib Al Hasan before Eoin Morgan took England beyond 200 with a lofted drive for six and then a trademark reverse-sweep for four in his enterprising 23.
But supported to the end by Michael Yardy (10no), Bell deservedly took the plaudits, smashing six fours in a measured 101-ball knock to hand England a 1-0 series lead going into the second one-dayer at Bristol on Saturday.