Bangladesh v England, 1st Test, Day 1 - 5 Talking Points

All-rounder Moeen Ali struck a fighting 68 runs knock to lead England’s fightback after debutant Mehedi Hasan rocked the English top order and finished with a five-wicket haul on day one of the first Test at Chittagong Stadium. The spin duo of Shakib al Hasan and Mehdi Hasan put the visitors in a worrisome position before Ali combined forces with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to rescue England to leave the game on evenly balanced in the favour of both the sides.

1. Alastair Cook becomes the highest capped Englishman

England skipper Alastair Cook today became England’s most capped Test player on Thursday when he came out for the toss bat against Bangladesh in the first test of the two-match series at Chittagong. It was Cook’s 134th appearance in whites for his country.

He surpassed former England wicket-keeper Alec Stewart to attain the special milestone. The left-hander is already the only Englishman to score more than 10,000 Test runs. His fitness levels and run making form has made many predict that he would go on to play 200 Tests for his country and eventually break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record for the most Test appearances.

2. Ben Duckett starts ahead of Haseeb Hameed:

Ben Duckett left teenager Haseeb Hameed waiting for his Test debut after the left-hander was chosen ahead of the latter to open with skipper Alastair Cook today.

There were clear indication that the Northamptonshire star would be making his Test debut today. He took a full part in England’s final net session before the first Test against Bangladesh and was sent to bat ahead of Alastair Cook, Joe Root, Gary Ballance, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes. He also took part in full throwing and catching session with England head coach Trevor Bayliss.

Duckett, ho made a memorable ODI debut a few days back and hit a half century I the practice game against BCB Xi did have a good start to his Test career unfortunately as he was dismissed for just 14 by another debutant Mehedi Hasan.

3. Shaky start:

England was off to a very bad start and struggled against the spin. The Bangladeshi spinners quickly began making inroads in the batting order, bringing them down to 21/3 before reducing them further to 106/5.

Cook and Duckett began on a sluggish note and were tied down by the spin bowling combination of Shakib al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz. Alastair Cook was the first one to go, falling to Shakib al Hasan and was later followed by Duckett and Ballance. The top three departed with just 21 on the scoreboard.

This opening tally was their lowest for the 3rd wicket in the first inns of a Test in Asia. Root and Stokes then staged a brief resurrection before both departed in quick succession to leave England at 106/5.

4. Debutant Mehedi Hasan claims a five-for on debut:

Teenage debutant Mehedi Hasan was the start player of the day. The off-spinner claimed fantastic figures of 5/64, the 6th best figures by a Bangladeshi on debut to leave England tottering at 258/7. England was put into deep trouble by the offie rocked the top order in the morning session on a spin friendly track.

Mehdi snapped four of the top six English batsmen and left the batting side struggling at 105/6. His first international scalp came in the form of another debutant Ben Duckett. He then added Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow to finish with highly impressive numbers.

5. Moeen Ali outsmarts DRS:

England’s survival against the Bangladeshi batsman today can be credited to all-rounder Moeen Ali. Ali walked in when England was in a slim position, having lost the well set Joe root after suffering an early collapse.

The left-hander played a brilliant knock and bailed out England from the trouble hitting a fluent 68 runs knock spread over 170 balls. His partnerships with Root and Stokes were instrumental in England’s revival with the bat.

However, the talking point of his knock the number appeals made against him during his stay. Ali was involved in a total of 5 DRS appeals today, three from his side and two from the opposition. Ali was right during all his three attempts while Bangladesh got it wrong in their two attempts.