England and Bangladesh face off in the third and final ODI (One Day International) this week at Chittagong, with England predicted to sweep it 3-0. Bangladesh showed improvement in the second game at Dhaka, but England got a fine century by Eoin Morgan to get the victory.
England has some other strong batsmen in Alistair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. Bangladesh has received some stand-out performances from Tamim Ibqal and Imrul Kayes. Ibqal scored a nice ton and his opening partner, Kayes, hit a solid half century in the second match. England bowlers Stuart Broad and Arnie Sidebottom are most likely out to injury, so Graeme Swann looks like the man to back. Tim Bresnan has also given the Bangladeshi batsmen trouble.
In related news, Cook was notably left off the England Twenty20 Squad for the upcoming ICC Twenty20 at the end of April. It’s only the provision squad but it is a surprise since his game has picked up lately during the tour of the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, both in Twenty20 and ODI. England has five newcomers. Bowlers Steven Finn, Peter Trego, Chris Woakes and David Wainwright and batsman Michael Lumb have been drafted. Collingwood will captain the team. Pietersen could be out on paternity leave during some pivotal stages of the tournament. England falls in a three team group with host West Indies and qualifier Ireland. England’s first match comes against Ireland on May 1st. Morgan, a former Ireland star, will be eagerly looking forward to it.
Bangladesh vs. England Third ODI Outright Betting
England to win: 1/5 at William Hill
Bangladesh to win: 4/1 at Ladbrokes
ICC World Twenty20 Outright Betting