Ben Stokes stars as England beat Bangladesh by 22 runs in thrilling finale on final morning of First Test in Chittagong
BEN STOKES took two wickets in three balls on the final morning as England clinched a thrilling, tension-filled victory by 22 runs in the First Test.
The Durham all-rounder nailed two lbw decisions just as England’s concern was edging towards near-panic.
The win maintained England’s 100 per cent record in Test cricket against Bangladesh – they have played nine and won nine.
Defeat would have been a huge setback at the start of their campaign of seven back-to-back Tests in the subcontinent leading up to Christmas.
The final five are against India, the world-ranked No 1 Test team in the world.
Bangladesh began the day needing 33 runs to reach their target of 286 while England required two wickets. It was all done in 21 balls.
The Tigers had chipped off ten runs when Stokes had Taijul Islam lbw when England called for the DRS after umpire Kumar Dharmasena had originally ruled not out. It was the 25th review of the match and the 11th to be overturned.
Two deliveries later, came the 26th review.
But this was more in desperation than anything as No 11 Shafiul Islam offered no shot to Stokes and was leg before. The TV pictures confirmed the decision.
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England’s players celebrated as much through relief as joy.
Alastair Cook's first big decision was who should open the bowling with the game so finely balanced. One ripper of a delivery or one wayward over could swing the match decisively.
He opted for the experienced Stuart Broad, whose nine-over spell the previous evening had helped set up the thrilling finale, and Stokes. That meant no spin at the start because Cook was worried the batsmen would attempt some big hits against the slow men.
Cook’s decision to trust his more reliable bowlers was vindicated.
Sabbir Rahman, the better batsman, made no attempt to shield his partners and No 10 Taijul top-edged an attempted hook against Stokes over wicketkeepeer Jonny Bairstow's head for four.
There were a few singles and a two. It was getting very close but then Stokes struck.
It was perhaps fitting that Stokes clinched the win because his four wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings plus a controlled knock of 85 on day three did more than anything to secure his team’s triumph.
But it was close and captain Cook and head coach Trevor Bayliss know England must improve for the tougher assignments that await them.
There are still concerns over the top order.
For example, should Ben Duckett again partner Cook or should Haseeb Hameed, 19, make his debut as opener? And what about the viability of Gary Ballance at No.4?
Although Gareth Batty, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid all chipped in with wickets on the turning pitch, England will be anxious about the lack of consistent threat from their trio of spinners.
The ball was turning almost square at times and, even though the slow men produced some ripping deliveries, they also send down some loose stuff.