NIK ANAND takes a look at the upcoming Bangladesh-England ODI series, and identifies crucial areas where the three-match campaign could be decided...
A much-changed white-ball England squad is in Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series in March.
The first two ODIs will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with the third at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
Here, NIK ANAND looks at the areas of the contest that could prove crucial in determining the result...
England missing key players
For several different reasons, whether that be injuries, managing workloads or retirement from the format, Jos Buttler’s white-ball side are missing several key players for this series in Bangladesh. Notable absences include Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone and Ben Stokes.
This leaves a batting lineup which can be viewed in two ways: either light on runs or packed with opportunity.
The absences of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, who are with the Test team in New Zealand, potentially leaves a chance for the Surrey pair of Will Jacks and Jason Roy. Roy will likely open alongside Dawid Malan - both scored centuries in South Africa in the series earlier this year.
Phil Salt and James Vince have been called up to the squad and could also play an important role. If England are to have success in this series that does not rely on the brilliance of Buttler, they will need to have a successful and consistent top four.
Bangladesh's players prepare for the March 2023 ODI series against England [AFP via Getty Images]
Spin it to win it
Given the conditions in Bangladesh. spin bowling will play a key role in the series. England are blessed in this department with one of the most consistent spinners in white-ball cricket: Adil Rashid. The option of Moeen Ali will always be vital for Buttler.
Eighteen-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been called up and will look to make his mark in the 50-over game. After a mightily impressive Test debut against Pakistan in December, taking five-for and showing real intent with the bat, his skills could naturally lend themselves to Buttler's aggressive tactics. Jacks' off-spin is also an option, particularly given the absence of Livingstone's multi-dimensional spin.
Bangladesh unsurprisingly have multiple options available, including the likes of Taijul Islam, Mohammad Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan. Despite only having one front-line spin bowler in the ranks in Taijul, who averages 22.35 in ODIs, the allrounders can provide tidy overs and options to Bangladeshi skipper Tamim Iqbal.
Pressure on Bangladesh's stars
The expectations have risen for Bangladesh given recent home form in limited-overs cricket.
Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan and returning captain Tamim Iqbal all need to fire to secure a result here. The three are all consistent players in the 50-over format, Das averages 34.76, Al Hasan 37.55 and Iqbal averages 37.03 at the top of the order.
England's players prepare for the March 2023 ODI series against Bangladesh [AFP via Getty Images]
World Cup build-up
The 2023 Cricket World Cup in India starts in October. While it may seem like the distant future, the tournament will come around faster than expected and teams are already in the final stages of their preparations.
England have 10 ODI games before the competition, these three in Bangladesh, four at home to New Zealand as well as three at home to Ireland. Meanwhile Bangladesh currently only have six ODIs, these three and three against Ireland later in March.
Given that both sides are in something of a state of flux it will be interesting to see how they fair.
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