Summing up
Well this is a finely-poised and compelling Test match (or a compelling and finely-poised Test match, depending on your grammatical preferences). After being pegged back before lunch by Moeen’s double breakthrough, Bangladesh regained the initiative with some smart and assertive batting, particularly from Tamim and Mushfiqur. Yet England have managed to strike towards the end of each session to keep themselves right in the game. The spinners impressed early on, the seamers towards the end as Moeen and Rashid just lost a bit of control. But this match really could go any way, so join the OBO team again tomorrow to find out. Thanks for your excellent emails and company (or your excellent company and emails), and stay on the site for reports and reaction from day two. Bye.
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Stumps, Bangladesh 221-5
74th over: Bangladesh 221-5 (Shakib 31, Shafiul 0) England stick with seam to the end and, in the new circumstances, rightly so. Stokes bowls the final over of the day, with an umbrella field set for the tailender. Stokes digs one in short and Shafiul plays it the way old-school tailenders do – ducking into it without looking, it raps him on the helmet and runs away past slip without any run scored. He fails to make Shafiul play enough though, and when he does arrow one in straight at the stumps the batsman plays an accomplished forward defensive. The last ball of the day is played at and missed, and that’s yer lot.
73rd over: Bangladesh 221-5 (Shakib 31, Shafiul 0) The sun is setting, the lights are on, and Stuart Broad is bounding in, bowling fairly full and forcing Shakib to go against the grain of his innings thus far and be defensive. He brings one into the left-hander and thuds him on the pad twice but it’s drifting down leg on each occasion. Good, positive bowling nonetheless. This game is wonderfully poised and competitive. Who says subcontintental Tests aren’t worth watching? One more over remainging today.
72nd over: Bangladesh 221-5 (Shakib 31, Shafiul 0) Stokes finds some more bounce, whistling a short one wide past Mushfiqur’s chin. It’s followed by a beauty – also short, but sharper and jagging away past the batsman’s outside-edge. Which in turn sets it up for the wicket ball, a fuller lower delivery that Mushfiqur dabs uncertainly at and edges through to Bairstow, diving low and forward to gather it. It’s the first wicket to fall to a quick bowler in the match, and Stokes deserves it. The new batsman, the nightwatchman Shafiul, looks uncertain, with no footwork at all, but he survives for three balls.
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Wicket! Mushfiqur c Bairstow b Stokes 48, Bangladesh 221-5
Fine bowling from Stokes gets its reward. Two short away swingers are followed by a fuller one, that Mushfiqur feathers through to Bairstow. He’s deserved that.
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71st over: Bangladesh 221-4 (Mushfiqur 48, Shakib 31) England are seeing out the day with the quicks, it would seem, with Stuart Broad replacing Chris Woakes. And in this session at least it’s the seamers who have bowled with more rigour. Broad discomforts Shakib a little with one that’s brought back into him and hits him high on the pad, but it looks like these batsmen are playing for the close now, and another maiden ensues. Just as I was about to air my thought that a spinner should come back before the close, Nick Knight and Rob Key say exactly the same thing, and I can no longer pass off a not-massively-groundbreaking piece of insight as exclusively my own.
70th over: Bangladesh 221-4 (Mushfiqur 48, Shakib 31) There are five overs remaining today, including this one, which begins with Stokes appealing for lbw after spearing one in at Shakib. It’s probably going down the legside though, and Stokes thinks better of sending it upstairs. He manages some rare and genuine bounce with a shorter ball that has Muhfiqur fending away off the back foot. Just one from a good, varied over.
“I, like Peter Salmon, read Tim Dowling’s piece on ablaut reduplication. Unlike him, I didn’t plagiarise it,” writes Kieron Shaw, before entering into the Cold War-revivalist spirit of the age with the following example. “I did, however, question its veracity. If I were discussing the USSR, for example, I would call it ‘an enormous evil empire’ (size, opinion...) rather than ‘an evil enormous empire’ (opinion, size...). But the ‘rule’ apparently says the latter is correct, which is manifestly wrong. In short, as various examples prove, that rule is a big, stinking lie (size, opinion...).” I’d go opinion first myself – comment is sacred, facts are optional after all.
69th over: Bangladesh 220-4 (Mushfiqur 48, Shakib 30) Woakes continues, the absence of a slip vexing Robert Key in the commentary box (he’s an underacknowledged decent pundit, probably deserving of better than too often being in Sky’s second-string). There’s effort, there’s a smidgeon of reverse, there are variations in length. But not, alas for England, a wicket. It’s a second consecutive maiden though.
68th over: Bangladesh 220-4 (Mushfiqur 48, Shakib 30) We have an all-seam attack! Stokes is brought back to replace Moeen, and prompts an uncertain dab onto his pads from Shakib with one that keeps low. An aggressive offside field prompts an aggressive response from the batsman who tries and fails to hammer the next ball past it, insread picking out the man at shortish mid-off. He also essays an ugly swish outside off-stump at another that keeps low. A good little game of attack and counterattack takes shape already – cricket is incapable of being dull when Stokes is involved.
67th over: Bangladesh 220-4 (Mushfiqur 48, Shakib 30) Woakes finds a some reverse swing to beats Shakib with a ball slanted into him, and then concedes a streaky four as the left-hander stretches and slashes outside off-stump – it races to the third man boundary. Such is the lot of the seamer in these conditions. A single brings Mushfiqur to the strike and he square cuts for one more. Bangladesh have scored more than 100 in this session – an impressive reclaiming of the initiative after losing a wicket on the stroke of tea.
66th over: Bangladesh 213-4 (Mushfiqur 47, Shakib 24) Shakib comes down the track at Moeen and slices wildly over backward point for two. Three singles ensue to bring up the 50 partnership but the level of spin will still encourage the bowler. However, these two batsmen are using their feet and judgment adeptly against it.
65th over: Bangladesh 208-4 (Mushfiqur 46, Shakib 20) A rare play and miss off a seamer, as Woakes cramps up Shakib as he attempts to cut and it bounces low through to Bairstow. Such is the pace and bounce (or lack of) that Bairstow is then brought up to the stumps. Then Woakes has a big lbw shout, after pinning Mushfiqur on the back foot. The bowler appeals loud and long, the umpire says no, but Cook asks for a review. Replays show it just clipping the outside of leg stump, so it stays with the umpire’s call. Which is all a bit deflating for Woakes, who might feel perked up a bit by finding some reverse coming into the right-handed Mushfiqur, who nonetheless flicks it square on the legside for a single. Mushfiqur cuts for one to move closer to a well deserved 50.
64th over: Bangladesh 205-4 (Mushfiqur 45, Shakib 18) “Six down tonight – expose the tail lads,” roars Bairstow (I presume) from behind the stumps. “In your dreams sunshine,” thinks Mushfiqur, and begins an expensive over by advancing promptly to belt Moeen past mid-off for four. He then plays a bold scoop over his shoulder for two to bring up the 200, before adding a single. This has been an impressive tempo-raising innings from Mushfiqur. Shakib picks up on the vibe and sweeps for two, though it’s top-edged and uppish, and cuts for one more run.
63rd over: Bangladesh 195-4 (Mushfiqur 38, Shakib 15) A change of tack from Cook. Woakes returns to bowl only his fourth over of the innings. He’s had a knack of making things happen this year, so can he here? Not immediately but it’s a tidy and smart enough over. Shakib late cuts for one straight away, and Mushfiqur adds another with a well-timed legside flick. There are some variations of pace but not yet much by way of reverse swing.
62nd over: Bangladesh 193-4 (Mushfiqur 37, Shakib 14) Mushfiqur nudges Moeen round the corner for a single. Shakib adds another too.
More collocation correspondence, with a twist, from John Pyle: “Celebrity collocation: Ant and Dec - literally collocation. Ant always stands on the left. Dogy collocation of sorts: you can’t have your cake and eat it. I think it makes much more sense to say you cant eat your cake and have it (some people say this is the scottish version)
Repeating words:
The pub sign writer who made the gaps between ‘George’ and ‘And’ and ‘And’ and ‘Dragon different sizes.
The test for correct use of pluperfect: John, where Jack had had ‘had’, had had ‘had had’: ‘had had’ had had the examiner’s preference.”
I’m still reeling – and I’m not sure in a good way – that someone in OBO-land knows where Ant out of Ant and Dec stands whenever they’re on the telly.
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61st over: Bangladesh 191-4 (Mushfiqur 36, Shakib 13) Batty, who the techies affirm has been bowling 3mph quicker in this spell, continues. He’s pitching it up too, Mushfiqur meeting one on the bounce to take a pushed single. Shakib does seize on the one shorter delivery to cut it past point for two, and, emboldened, gets on the front foot and clubs an on-drive to the ropes for four to complete the over.
60th over: Bangladesh 184-4 (Mushfiqur 35, Shakib 7) There’s a parrot in the ground – you don’t get that at Durham on a cold May morning (or do you?). Moeen returns, and finds some turn against Mushfiqur, who plays it late and intelligently in cutting past backward point for two. He’s also playing with a fair amount of aggression and gets four for a reverse sweep that he doesn’t fully connect with but still has the momentum to reach the boundary.
“Morning Tom.” Morning Phil Sawyer. “Beware anyone who looks like Yul Brynner? So what Gary Naylor is basically saying in his OBOworld announcement is that Rob Smyth is a lethal killing machine android? There’s a word of warning for those commenting BTL on his articles in the future.” I always find it’s worth making that assumption before commenting below the line anyway. You can rant but you can’t hide.
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59th over: Bangladesh 177-4 (Mushfiqur 28, Shakib 7) Mushfiqur takes a single, and Shakin plays out a string of dot balls, that are mostly tossed up a little more with the aim of inducing a sweep, but nowt happens. And that’s drinks.
“The last time Gareth Batty took a test wicket, iPhones didn’t exist. Ouch,” says Sam Al-Hamdani on the Twitters, which also didn’t exist then, and people used to have to lie about and insult each other TO THEIR FACES. Happier, simpler times.
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58th over: Bangladesh 176-4 (Mushfiqur 27, Shakib 7) Mushfiqur adds a single, and Shakib is watchful for the remainder of the over against Root, who drops a bit too short a couple of times but gets away with it.
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57th over: Bangladesh 175-4 (Mushfiqur 26, Shakib 7) Shakib picks up two that should only have been one, but for overthrows, and then gets a merited four with an emphatic off-drive, played on the stretch, for four.
The Lord has spoken:
@tomdaviesE17 For OBOworld. BEWARE ANYONE WHO LOOKS LIKE YUL BRYNNER. ALWAYS SELECT A PROPER NUMBER EIGHT. TRY BOUNCER - YORKER FSS.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) October 21, 2016
56th over: Bangladesh 169-4 (Mushfiqur 26, Shakib 1) Joe Roooooooot gets his first bowl of the series, round the wicket at the right-hander. Mushfiqur welcomes him by advancing at him and driving expansively down the ground for four. One wonders whether it’ll be time for a bit of seam soon, see what the quicks can get out of a scuffed older ball.
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55th over: Bangladesh 165-4 (Mushfiqur 22, Shakib 1) Batty, round the wicket at the right-handed Mushfiqur, is turned round the corner for an easy single. And then punished for dropping short at Tamim, who cuts confidently for two. Then, just as I was about to type that I couldn’t see Batty getting a wicket, he strikes, with a quicker delivery that foxes Tamim who awkwardly edges behind and Bairstow gathers sharply. His first Test wicket since 5 June 2005, when the entire world was very different. Another appeal completes the over, Mushfiqur having to dive to get home for a single after Rashid’s throw from extra-cover. Bairstow whips off the bails, the umpires give it the once-over but he’s home, just. A single completes the over.
Wicket! Tamim c Bairstow b Batty 78, Bangladesh 163-4
Batty claims his first scalp, and it’s a biggie, pushing one through quickly at the opener, who feathers behind. He thinks about a review, but thinks better of it. And a textbook opener’s innings is ended.
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54th over: Bangladesh 160-3 (Tamim Iqbal 76, Mushfiqur 20) Rashid continues to attack Tamim from wide of the crease but Tamim can cope and he flicks with the spin round the corner for a single. Mushfiqur pulls a short one across the line languidly for two more and then sweeps in the air beyond Duckett at square leg for three. This has been a very good session so far for the hosts. England are offering plenty of spin, but rather less control and consistency.
53rd over: Bangladesh 154-3 (Tamim Iqbal 75, Mushfiqur 15) Batty returns in place of Moeen, with two slips in an otherwise defensive field, and he begins with a loosener, short and turned away off the back foot for two. Another single completes an underwhelming over.
“The coinage of OBOland puts me in mind of one of those rubbish winter theme parks with goats disguised and reindeers that pop up in the news every couple of years,” quips David Hopkins. “What would an OBO theme park involve? A photo booth with a cardboad cut-out of Martin McCague? Words of wisdom from Gary Naylor booming over a tannoy like the voice of God? An interactive game challenging you to minimise a browser window just as your boss looks over?”
That sounds less like a theme park, more like our actual daily reality.
52nd over: Bangladesh 151-3 (Tamim Iqbal 72, Mushfiqur 15) Tamim drives Rashid to mid-off for one, but, assertive though this pair have been against the spinners, the bowler still manages to bamboozle Mushfiqur with a short sharp turner past his outside edge. The batsman responds with a neat sweep, getting forward and smothering the spin, which brings him two runs.
This is Tamim's 9th Test innings vs England. Of those that have played 9 or more innings vs England his ave of 71.87 is the fourth best ever
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) October 21, 2016
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51st over: Bangladesh 148-3 (Tamim Iqbal 71, Mushfiqur 13) Mushfiqur picks up his first non-boundary runs with a pulled single off Moeen, who isn’t looking as controlled as earlier. He switches to over the wicket at Tamim, but drops short again and concedes a single on the offside. A bit of tension out in the middle too, as a grumble of “get off the pitch” - presumably aimed at Tamim from behind the stumps – is picked up on the mics.
50th over: Bangladesh 146-3 (Tamim Iqbal 70, Mushfiqur 12) Rashid has two men in short on the legside for the left-handed Tamim as he slants in from wide of the crease. Tamim misses a rash reverse-sweep attempt but gets away with it, before a decent comeback over receives a slight blemish when the left-hander pushes a full toss down the ground for a couple.
49th over: Bangladesh 144-3 (Tamim Iqbal 68, Mushfiqur 12) Tamim cuts another short ball away for a single, but stems what had been an increasing flow of runs for the remainder of the over.
And here’s the story on the India-DRS news:
48th over: Bangladesh 143-3 (Tamim Iqbal 67, Mushfiqur 12) Rashid still occasionally gets his length wrong, though Tamim misses out on a full toss that he can only send to the fielder at midiwicket. He doesn’t miss out when Rashid drops short though, reading the spin and making room to cut in front of square for four. Another single on the legside brings Mushfiqur to the strike, and he punishes another loose delivery by pulling it to the ropes for four.
47th over: Bangladesh 134-3 (Tamim Iqbal 62, Mushfiqur 8) Moeen continues to bowl at a decent old lick, conceding a single to Tamim but nothing more.
“As we’re being all grammatical today,” writes Chris Drew, as if being “all grammatical” isn’t a job for some of us, “you know about the famous Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo Buffalo don’t you?
You don’t? Well, it’s not quite as perfect (and I know he’s not playing), but
“Bowl Ball” bawl Ball (The members of the Ball family cry out that it time for Jake to come on to bowl) Too much time, I know, but I’m sure there is someone in OBOland who can do better.”
“OBOland” should take a hyphen really. At least until it attains the common usage it so clearly merits.
46th over: Bangladesh 133-3 (Tamim Iqbal 61, Mushfiqur 8) There’s a sense that these batsmen are going to attack Moeen and Rashid, giving the bowlers a sensation both are more than familiar with. Tamim twice gloves Rashid down to fine leg for two, before cutting a short wrong’un square on the offside for a single.
45th over: Bangladesh 128-3 (Tamim Iqbal 56, Mushfiqur 8) Tamim takes a single off Moeen, who attacks the new batsman Mushfiqur assiduously, before the batman counters with smart footwork, advancing to drive with precision beyond extra-cover for four. Feeling good about himself for that, Mushfiqur gets forward again, smacking against the spin to the long-on boundary for four more. A good-cricket-all-round kind of over.
44th over: Bangladesh 119-3 (Tamim Iqbal 55, Mushfiqur 0) Rashid completes his over with four dots, finding turn with one that isn’t so much extravagant as bellowing into your face, and ripping a more subtle one past a befuddled Mushfiqur, who’s prodding at thin air. Fine, fine bowling.
Fun fact: Every wicket in this match so far has fallen to spin, and England’s innings was, remarkably, the first time in 29 years they have lost all 10 wickets to spinners. Faisalabad 87-88, since you ask.
And nothing much happened in that match really.
Anyway, the players are on their way back out.
Teatime email from Peter Salmon: “What Andrew Millington (over 33) has identified is called ‘ablaut reduplication’, and yes it does always go i, a, o. And no, no-one knows why. But it is a rule English speakers follow witout knowing they are doing so. In this way it is similar to adjective order before a noun - native speakers invariably us the following order: opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose.”
He continues, possibly going all wistful and gazing longingly out of the window: “Thus: She was a beautiful, tall, 40-year-old, thin, black-haired Scottish woman.”
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Tea, Bangladesh 119-3
43.2 overs: Bangladesh 119-3 (Tamim Iqbal 55) Rashid brings the session to a close by snaring Mahmudullah and ending a partnership that had put Bangladesh in the ascendancy. Now it’s properly in the balance again. See you in a bit for the evening session.
Wicket! Mahmudulah c Root b Rashid 38, 119-3
And now England do strike! A lovely ball from Rashid drifts and turns away from Mahmudullah, who’s stranded prodding at it. It takes the edge and this time Root does have his low catch at slip. And that’s tea.
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43rd over: Bangladesh 119-2 (Tamim Iqbal 55, Mahmudullah 38) Is Tamim out here, caught at slip by Root? Computer says no. Ultra-edge shows nothing off the glove, and affirms – for what it’s worth – the excellence of Root’s low take. But it’s not out. It was a a terrific ball from Moeen, with drift and turn nagging at that outside-edge. Tamim and Mahmudullah indulge in some much-needed running practice with a succession of singles off Moeen
“Time to bowl a foot outside off-stump with a packed off-side field?” asks subtlety’s Christopher Dale.
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42nd over: Bangladesh 116-2 (Tamim Iqbal 54, Mahmudullah 36) Spin replaces spin, with Rashid returning. He begins with a low full toss, which is bunted towards long-on by Mahmudullah for a single. There’s plenty of turn for Rashid too, though it’s telegraphed enough when short and enables the batsmen to pick it. The best ball of the over is tossed up a little more and awkwardly inside-edged by Tamim behind him for one. A bit of uneven bounce gives Mahmudullah something to think about too, but he digs out one that keeps low and forces it away for one run. Excessive spin brings troubles both batsman and keeper with the last ball of the over, as it drifts past both for a leg-bye.
41st over: Bangladesh 111-2 (Tamim Iqbal 53, Mahmudullah 34) Tamim Iqbal, anchorman, cuts loose and brings up a hard-earned fifty with a confident punch off the back foot for four, punishing Moeen for dropping short. There’s still extravagant turn though, and wicket-taking opportunities. England are beginning to need them too.
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40th over: Bangladesh 107-2 (Tamim Iqbal 49, Mahmudullah 34) Mahmudullah dabs Batty towards slip, and is slightly taken aback by Tamim, at the non-striker’s end, dashing down the track for a single as if it’s the last ball of an ODI, but he hauls himself to the bowler’s end to complete the run. Keen to keep the scoreboard whirring, another hasty single follows before Mahmudullah clips exquisitely towards the boundary where Chris Woakes just about cuts it off at the second attempt, and they run two.
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39th over: Bangladesh 103-2 (Tamim Iqbal 48, Mahmudullah 31) Genuine pace returns to the attack with, er, Moeen, the Birmingham Express. He still finds oodles of turn, bringing one right back in on Mahmudullah as he attempts to cut, though the batsman can add a single off a shorter ball that’s drifting too far to the legside. Bowling at the left-handed Tamim though, Moeen is pretty on the money until the opener clips an overpitched ball to long-on for two.
38th over: Bangladesh 100-2 (Tamim Iqbal 46, Mahmudullah 30) Batty goes round the wicket at Mahmudullah who tries a switch-hit but it goes straight to a fielder before a well directed front-foot on-drive brings a single and takes Bangladesh to 100. Disconcertingly, Ben Stokes clutches his knee in consternation after diving for that one, but he gets up right enough.
37th over: Bangladesh 99-2 (Tamim Iqbal 46, Mahmudullah 29 Mahmudullah is hurried up a tad by a Broad delivery that comes back at him and he inside-edges awkwardly into his pads, before inside-edging a single down to square leg. Tamim adds another single on the legside, which the batsmen make a meal of completing – communication between the wickets isn’t what it could be, by the looks. This is decent from Broad – there’s something compelling about watching seamers strain every sinew in conditions and on pitches that manifestly hate them.
Jon Chanter emails on the subject of pitter-patter from beind an overflowing nappy bin: “From my experience the spitter splatter of tiny feaces is more apt....” he honks.
36th over: Bangladesh 97-2 (Tamim Iqbal 46, Mahmudullah 28) Mahmudullah takes two singles on the legside, Tamim adds one more with a clip in the same region, and this patient partnership between two vastly experienced cricketers continues.
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35th over: Bangladesh 95-2 (Tamim Iqbal 45, Mahmudullah 26) Mahmudullah has a go at a perfectly accaptable full-ish length ball from Board, straight driving down the ground for three. Broad discomforts Tamim a little with a leg-cutter from over the wicket that is deflected just past Gary Ballance at short leg, but the unconvincing nature of the shot will hearten the bowler. A good over.
In other news:
DRS to be used for upcoming India-England series. Hope those judging 'trial' accept India's players might not be the best at using it https://t.co/pRHLUTmSJ3
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 21, 2016
34th over: Bangladesh 92-2 (Tamim Iqbal 45, Mahmudullah 23) Batty tosses it up and bowls pretty full, Tamim smothers. It’s on a decent line but Tamim’s equal to it. The one time he drops short a little, Tamim carves him away square on the offside and sets off recklessly for a single before Mahmudullah tells him not to be so daft and to scurry back. Which he does, in time. Just. A maiden.
33rd over: Bangladesh 92-2 (Tamim Iqbal 45, Mahmudullah 23) Stokes’s testing little spell is ended – unsurprisingly in this demanding heat – and Stuart Broad replaces him. He has only one slip but plenty of offside fielders in, but Mahmudullah beats them when he picks up four with a lovely measured cut off the back foot.
“I’ve come late to this conversation but…” barges in Andrew Millington, “In phrases in the English language that repeat a word but with a different vowel, the vowel order is pretty much always I A O. For no reason I’m aware of except that it just sounds right.
“Bish bash bosh. Flip-flop. Tit-for-tat. Ding-dong. Hip-hop. Tip-top. The pitter-patter of tiny feet. And so on. It’s a fun game to try to think of more examples!” The pitter-patter of tiny feet is a funny one in general, given that the feet of newborn babies don’t pitter-patter at all.
32nd over: Bangladesh 88-2 (Tamim Iqbal 45, Mahmudullah 19) Morning/afternoon everyone. Tom taking over, with the observation that couples tend surely to be described with the better friend/more likeable person named first (assuming either are likeable, of course). And with the cricketing observation that this looks an intriguing battle of bat and ball. Batty continues, Mahmudullah advancing to clip a single past mid-on. He’s round the wicket at the left-handed Tamim – there’s turn, but nothing the batsman can’t read. Tamim and Mahmudullah add a couple more easy singles.
31st over: Bangladesh 85-2 (Tamim Iqbal 44, Mahmudullah 17) Stokes looks easily the most dangerous of England’s quicks - and if he can find some reverse, he might yet do some damage. Mahmudullah takes a single off the first ball of his fourth over, turning to leg, and then he makes Tamim hop to jam the bat down on a fuller one - variation seems more effective than repetition at the moment.
Anyway, that’s drinks, after which Tom Davies will guide youse through the rest of the day.
30th over: Bangladesh 84-2 (Tamim Iqbal 44, Mahmudullah 16) Back comes Batty, Alastair Cook showing the confidence he has in him by providing two slips and two catchers in front of square. Two from the over, Batty coming a bit wider of the crease in an effort to attack the stumps.
“Do collocations ever switch?” asks Harvey Lock. “When talking about couples it’s always the female first i.e. ‘Tracy and Andy’ but didn’t it used to be the other way around years ago? But then again its always Mr and Mrs if you’re talking surnames.”
I think this is a matter of protocol rather than a collocation.
29th over: Bangladesh 82-2 (Tamim Iqbal 42, Mahmudullah 16) Stokes is still around to Tamim, and when he over-angles one in, it’s s simple task for the batter to help it around the corner for four. So next up Stokes serves some width, and Tamim flays him for four more - off the toe end, but with more than enough power to hit the rope. Naturally, Stokes responds with a jaffa, one that angles in then hits the seam and shoots straighter.
“Morning!” hollers Finbar Anslow in Piedmont. “Italians say ‘White and Black’ (bianco e nero) but no one knows why.”
So are we saying that it’s black and white in every other language? It certainly is in Hebrew, the only with which I can help.
28th over: Bangladesh 73-2 (Tamim Iqbal 33, Mahmudullah 16) Moeen had nipped off but he’s back now an over later, so able to continue with his spell. Two from the over, but real men are pondering collocations.
“Any discussion of collocations has to touch on the birth of the English legal system, which took place when the main language to be used - French, English or Latin - hadn’t been settled on,” emails Peter Salmon. “Thus there are a lot of collocations which include words from two language roots. Thus ‘will and testament’, ‘cease and desist’, ‘fit and proper’, ‘peace and quiet’, and ‘breaking and entering’...
Cool, hey?”
So how do we decide which comes first?
27th over: Bangladesh 71-2 (Tamim Iqbal 32, Mahmudullah 15) Stokes is around the wicket now, pretty wide of the crease too, and I wonder if we might see him coming on earlier, ahead of Woakes, as the tour progresses. On cue, he then sends down another jazzer, to the right-handed Mahmudullah - from wide of the crease but over the wicket, the ball holding its line and evading a tentative fence. Two singles from the over.
26th over: Bangladesh 69-2 (Tamim Iqbal 31, Mahmudullah 14) Tamim rocks back and cracks Moeen square, but on the up and Rashid dives at point, only the the ball to burst through his fingers. Great effort, but at the same time he’ll be disappointed not to have done more, and it definitely counts as a drop; they run two, and subsequently add a further single.
25th over: Bangladesh 66-2 (Tamim Iqbal 28, Mahmudullah 14) It’s time for Ben Stokes, who’ll be bowling right-arm attitude. I wonder how many sports he could play to international standard given the wherewithall, but in the meantime, he sends down a pearler that’s just outside off and pins Mahmudullah on the crease. Perhaps too relaxed, perhaps frazzled by the altered attack, he then drives uppishly, missing by plenty, and this is a promising over, even though its testing final delivery is soft-hand edged for four.
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24th over: Bangladesh 62-2 (Tamim Iqbal 28, Mahmudullah 10) Moeen has two slips and a short leg, but they’re playing him comfortably now, dancing feet overriding ripping spin. Just as I’m wondering if he might bowl a little fuller he bowls a little fuller, but Tamim is wise to the ruse, defending solidly to complete a maiden.
23rd over: Bangladesh 62-2 (Tamim Iqbal 28, Mahmudullah 10) Rashid is struggling a bit here - this’ll be the last over of his spell, I shouldn’t wonder - and the first ball of this over is punished through cover to the fence. It was far too airy, and Tamim has his feet under the table now.
As to the fast spinner question, here’s Simon Thomas: “Might as well start with the best. Sydney Barnes was adamant that he didn’t bowl cutters but he spun the ball at high speed, possibly as a result of his very long fingers (the anti-Trump, as it were).”
I believe Monty Panesar also has that advantage, though I wonder if stubbier, tougher fingers are helpful to leggies.
22nd over: Bangladesh 57-2 (Tamim Iqbal 23, Mahmudullah 10) Mahmudullah is standing on off stump, which is what Ian Bell said he’d do yesterday. He takes a single into the leg side after Tamim has done the same, and then a short, wide, slower effort is smacked to the point fence.
“As a Speech Therapist, I often use these semantic associations to help people with word-finding difficulties (after a stroke, for example),” emails the rhyming John Swann. I give them ‘fish and -’ and the idea is that ‘chips’ pops into their mind automatically. Some are stronger than others depending on the choice available. Compare ‘left and -’ with ‘cheese and -’, for instance.”
I like cheese and chips, but then I also like left and chips.
21st over: Bangladesh 50-2 (Tamim Iqbal 17, Mahmudullah 9) Poor delivery to start from Rashid, a full toss that gets exactly what it deserves, wristily cracked through midwicket for four. A single then follows with a drive to cover, followed by another to point; Bangladesh are settled once more.
20th over: Bangladesh 44-2 (Tamim Iqbal 16, Mahmudullah 4) Mahmudullah is busily doing everything possible to get down the pitch to Moeen, smothering the spin and giving himself the option of retreating if necessary. He takes a single towards midwicket, and then Tamim plays out four dots.
19th over: Bangladesh 43-2 (Tamim Iqbal 16, Mahmudullah 3) A floaty full-toss from Rashid lads on Tamim’s bat, and he wastes no time slamming it though the covers for four. And two leg-byes follow, making it a decent over for the hosts.
@DanielHarris It's collocation - it's not where it started from, it's what we're used to. Then you've got fragments...
— Mr D Johns (@MrJohnsEnglish) October 21, 2016
@DanielHarris ...which are words that only really still exist as part of a collocation, like 'yon' in 'hither and yon' or askance etc
— Mr D Johns (@MrJohnsEnglish) October 21, 2016
Ah - someone who knows the answer, rather than someone ignorantly speculating. Are you sure you’ve come to the right place, sir?
18th over: Bangladesh 37-2 (Tamim Iqbal 12, Mahmudullah 3) Mahmudullah gets a single down the ground, and then, following Moeen’s final delivery, an inside-edge goes fine and they run three.
“It is always knife and fork,” reasons Derek Fordham, “because, if you say ‘fork ‘n’ knife’ you sound as if you are swearing.”
Surely “knife’n fork!” does too, particularly if said with requisite venom and prefixed with “You”.
17th over: Bangladesh 33-2 (Tamim Iqbal 9, Mahmudullah 2) The batsmen are using their feet now, Mahmudullah driving a single before five dots. This session really is set up, and we haven’t even seen Ben Stokes yet.
16th over: Bangladesh 32-2 (Tamim Iqbal 9, Mahmudullah 1) My internet dropped out for a moment there, but there were two off the over.
“Unfortunately I can’t help you with quick spinners,” emails Lee Smith, “but such a discussion is a fine reason to try and crowbar this into the conversation. Maybe there is hope for American cricket after all!
This is what the Spinners mean to me
15th over: Bangladesh 30-2 (Tamim Iqbal 8, Mahmudullah 0) Rashid starts well, a teasing line attacking the stumps. He had Mahmudullah on toast in the ODI series too, but only gets two balls at him after Tamim gets one to mid-off.
“Because it’s not always fish and chips,” says John Starbuck of my earlier poser. “It could be pie and chips, sausages and chips, curry - eurgh - and chips. The emphasis is on what’s different. I admit in some cases you might add mushy peas, but that’s a very personal thing.”
Ok, so why is it always knife and fork, or spick and span?
14th over: Bangladesh 29-2 (Tamim Iqbal 7, Mahmudullah 0) Mahmudullah uses his feet to get forward, and that’s a double-wicket maiden.
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Right, here we go again. Moeen has one ball left ... good luck, Mahmudallah old chap.
Athers has just referenced Kumble too, explaining that Moeen’s speed in England is fine to play off the back foot, but on a spinning track, that can end up being too late.
Anyway, email from Martin Whitman: “Glad you brought fast spin up because this was exactly the story of that fabulous 2-1 in India.
I’m curious: who was the fastest spinner or the slowest fast-bowler who used cutters? Is there someone who could do either?”
Anil Kumble springs to mind as a quick spinner...
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So, given that it’s Friday lunchtime, am I good to have fish and chips? And why is it fish and chips, not chips and fish? Is that a linguistic or phonic thing, or just a reflection of the dish, i.e. fish is centrepiece and chips are the side?
Perhaps Moeen has learnt from Monty Panesar’s success in India, which had a lot to do with how quickly he bowled, not just in terms of pace but in terms of revs. What was interesting and brilliant was his immediate effect - sometimes, a pitch just sits a player, and this appears to be that.
Anyway, see you shortly.
Updated
Lunch: Bangladesh 29-2
So Moeen has 2-0 off 0.5. Suddenly, Bangladesh’s morning is England’s morning, and such is sub-continental cricket.
WICKET! Mominul Haque c Stokes b Moeen Ali 0 (Bangladesh 29-2)
Moeen comes from wide of the crease, firing it in again, and again he finds the perfect length - the spin is taken as read - and clips the top of the bat, Bairstow then deflecting the ball into the hands of Stokes at slip.
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14th over: Bangladesh 29-1 (Tamim Iqbal 7, Mominiul Haque 0) Moeen is keeping his pace up and I’m reminded of something I once heard Graeme Swann say: bowl as fast as you can to still get spin.
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WICKET! Imrul Kayes b Moeen Ali 21 (Bangladesh 29-1)
This is another beaut, gripping and ripping past the outside edge at quite some lick as Imrul isn’t sure whether to go backwards or forwards and ends up playing from the crease, foundering as the ball bumps off his off bail.
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14th over: Bangladesh 29-0 (Tamim Iqbal 7, Imrul Kayes 21) Moeen replaces Batty and sends down a beaut first up, much quicker and ripping past the outside edge.
13th over: Bangladesh 29-0 (Tamim Iqbal 7, Imrul Kayes 21) Rashid into the attack with nine minutes to go until lunch and more or less immediately he pulls Imrul forwards then spins the ball away from him - but next up, a loopier leg-spinner that’s cracked for four to square-leg. Rashid responds well though, big turn beating the bat and crumping the pad -there’s a shout but that one did way too much. So, a classic Rashid over: expensive but promising. Or is it promising but expensive?
12th over: Bangladesh 23-0 (Tamim Iqbal 6, Imrul Kayes 16) Batty continues and Imrul sweeps his first delivery, which balloons up to plaintive cries of “catch!” And perhaps Batty has settled because another decent delivery forces Imrul to play, soft hands edging wide of slip for two. Next ball suggests increased comfort too, inducing a drive that’s not far away from the follow-through, before another dot completes easily Batty’s most menacing over so far.
11th over: Bangladesh 21-0 (Tamim Iqbal 6, Imrul Kayes 14) Woakes isn’t really threatening - already, England are missing Jimmy Anderson, and I wonder if he’d have opened with Broad were he in the side. Woakes chucks down a bouncer, and it’s so slow that Imrul has to get proper low to avoid it - a man now out on the hook suggests he quite likes that idea. So far, England’s bowling has been about as threatening as pair of turquoise rubber pants.
10th over: Bangladesh 19-0 (Tamim Iqbal 5, Imrul Kayes 13) I wonder if the x-factor of Ben Stokes might be England’s best pace bet in these circumstances. Anyway, Batty now has a helmeted Ballance at silly point, and we see a pitch map which suggests that he was a little wide and short to begin with. But then a fuller one is clouted for four through cover off not quite the middle - it was in the air too, so Batty won’t mind that too much.
9th over: Bangladesh 14-0 (Tamim Iqbal 4, Imrul Kayes 9) Woakes bangs in a quicker one that Bairstow takes high up and Imrul totally pars he needed stilts to address it, and it’s called wide. It’s also the only run of the over; Bangladesh are digging in.
8th over: Bangladesh 13-0 (Tamim Iqbal 4, Imrul Kayes 9) Batty is looking to attack the stumps, and seems to be getting most spin when he slows down to around 83kmh. Again, Bangladesh are patient, Imrul playing out five dots before turning the final ball of the over to square-leg for a single. Surely it won’t be long before we see a change at this end.
7th over: Bangladesh 12-0 (Tamim Iqbal 4, Imrul Kayes 8) Woakes replaces Broad and Tamim is circumspect - I’d expect Bangladesh to take things slowly, looking to cash-in in the evening session once the bowlers are suitably exhausted. Maiden.
6th over: Bangladesh 12-0 (Tamim Iqbal 4, Imrul Kayes 8) Batty isn’t causing too many problems here - I get that England want him in the game, but I’m not sure how much of the hardness they want to use up with him. His last delivery pushes Imrul back, but he plays it down into the ground with reasonable confidence.
Gareth Batty has got average turn of 5.94 degrees in his first two overs. The average for Mehedi in first innings was 4.76 #BANvENG
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) October 21, 2016
One is reminded of Anil Kumble, the world’s premier top-spinner - it’s not about big turn, it’s about just enough turn, especially on a wicket that’s doing something.
5th over: Bangladesh 11-0 (Tamim Iqbal 3, Imrul Kayes 8) Tamim shoves a single into the leg side and Broad tries a short one, a decent ploy but will need better direction - this effort flies over Imrul’s shoulder. But maybe it puts doubt in his mind, because a fuller one then causes him aggravation, before another ill-directed bumper is shrugged off.
4th over: Bangladesh 10-0 (Tamim Iqbal 2, Imrul Kayes 8) Batty is bowling a little short and slow at the moment, though he finds turn when he slows down even further, beating Kayes. And the next delivery is edged low between the slips for two - this is much better bowling - with Kayes trapped on the crease with the final ball of the over. Batty might just have found his pace on this track.
3rd over: Bangladesh 8-0 (Tamim Iqbal 2, Imrul Kayes 6) I know Batty will be England’s stock bowler, and also that Bangladesh have two lefties at the top of the order, but perhaps opening with Rashid, England’s most attacking spinner, might have made some sense. Imrul nurdles a single to leg and Broad goes over the wicket to Tamim, serving up some leg side filth that is deservedly ignored. But he’s on the money next up, sending down two more dots before moving back around for another one.
2nd over: Bangladesh 7-0 (Tamim Iqbal 2, Imrul Kayes 5) Alastair Cook goes with Gazbaz, and his first ball is short and wide - just the 111 years he’s had to plot that assault - so Imrul waits, then canes it to the point fence. But he finds some turn after that, clipping the edge and ceding a single with his third delivery.
1st over: Bangladesh 2-0 (Tamim Iqbal 2, Imrul Kayes 0) Broad starts around the wicket and finds his line with his third delivery, shaping back in and whizzing past off stump. But then he angles one too far and Tamim miscues it to square-leg for two, the only runs of the over.
There are two slips, a gully, and a catcher at short cover.
So everyone’s ready to go, and SJ Broad, no doubt elated after his dismissal, has the ball.
Finny, P.I pic.twitter.com/jscvhMjoBm
— AllOutCricket (@AllOutCricket) October 21, 2016
Steven Finn has a mustache. Tour boredom has set in already; highlights next, then a tatt of Jonny Bairstow on his chest. So, what’s the most absurd behaviour you’ve ever perpetrated simply to pass the time?
STAT ALERT: Bang's spinners only the 3rd to take all 10 in the opening inns of a Test since 1994 (SLvNZ, Galle 1998; INDvAUS, Chennai, 2013)
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) October 21, 2016
Mehedi's 6-80 the best by an opening bowler in 1st inns of Test debut since Richard Johnson's 6-33 for Eng v Zim in 2003. #BANvENG
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) October 21, 2016
Nick Knight wonders if Bangladesh might struggle to adjust from one-day cricket to the pace of a Test, but also that they’ll put the spinners under pressure by using their feet more. England’s problem in that aspect wasn’t just technique but the fact that they were always coming from behind.
So, both sides with be relatively happy with what’s come to pass. 292 is certainly more than England looked likely to get yesterday morning, but with so many batsmen getting starts, there’ll be slight disappointment that Moeen Ali’s 68 is the top score.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be expecting England to wilt in the heat, and for their spinners to find more difficulty in gauging the best pace at which to bowl and generally being good.
WICKET! Broad c Mushfiqur b Mehedi 13 (England 293 all out)
Ultraedge shows the he slightest fondle of ball to bat and England are done. Mehedi has 6-80 on debut, from 39.5 overs, and what a performance that is! Obviously it’s not as good as doing A-levels, but from each according to his ability to each according to his needs.
Updated
106th over: England 293-9 (Broad 13, Batty 1) Mehedi continues and there’s a shout from the stand when Batty pads one to short-leg. Then he flicks one into the leg-side, his first Test run since God was a lad, and Mehedi flight one into Broad, then twists it away from him - past the edge or into the edge? The umpire says not out, Bangladesh say review! Mushfiqur is certain!
Updated
105th over: England 292-9 (Broad 13, Batty 0) This review situation is, it seems to me, far more a reflection of the track than the umpires. If the batters are struggling to read the spin and bounce, why would the umpires be any more expert? Broad plays out a maiden.
“Taijul spinning it more than former members of the shadow cabinet,” tweets Tim Lezard. “What? Too soon?”
What’s a shadow cabinet?
104th over: England 292-9 (Broad 13, Batty 0) Turn for Mehedi, that straightens and jags back into Batty’s pad. There’s a big appeal, the umpire says not out, and that looked a good shout ... but Hawkeye shows the extra bounce would’ve taken it over the top. Great decision, because that looked plumb.
103rd over: England 291-9 (Broad 12, Batty 0) I wonder how certain Dharmasena was that that was out, or whether he made the call knowing that England would review. Anyway, Broad sweeps a single, the only run from the over.
9th review of the innings by Broad. A record for an innings in Test cricket. This one not out again. 4th Dharmasena decision overturned
— Nick Hoult (@NHoultCricket) October 21, 2016
NOT OUT! The ball was missing leg stump!
And the umpire does not look too clever. Ah well, what a pity, nevermind.
103rd over: England 290-9 (Broad 11, Batty 0) Taijul, over the wicket to Broad, spins one into him, hits him in front, and Umpire Dharmasena says gone!
102nd over: England 290-9 (Broad 11, Batty 0) Broad nudges a single into the off side and Batty sees off Mehedi’s next five deliveries well enough. This century, only Alec Stewart has played for England when older than Batty - 40 versus 39. For those of us who are a mere 37, there is still time.
101st over: England 289-9 (Broad 10, Batty 0) So here comes Gareth Batty, after an hiatus of 11 years and 142 Tests. He plays out the rest of the over comfortably enough.
WICKET! Rashid c Sabbir b Taijul 26 (England 289-9)
Rashid makes room to drive through the off side and the ball sits up for him too, but he can’t keep it away from short cover, where Sabbir holds onto a smart, diving snaffle.
Updated
101st over: England 289-8 (Rashid 26, Broad 10) Rashid is enjoying himself here, clobbering Taijul over midwicket and against the spin for four.
100th over: England 285-8 (Rashid 22, Broad 10) Broad looks good at the moment, not words anyone’s had cause to type too often in recent times. But he plays out a maiden comfortably. Meanwhile, I love Jim Maxwell.
The cricket stroke even Jim Maxwell didn't see coming. On A Current Affair tomorrow. #9ACA
— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) October 20, 2016
https://t.co/FF753u7Yrq
99th over: England 285-8 (Rashid 22, Broad 10) Broad connects with another sweep, but wider than before, and it finds the fielder - they run one. Rashid then drives down the ground for four when Taijul overpitches, and looks comfortable; all the more so when the next delivery is short, so he waits to pull it for four more. Anyway, onto more important matters, you’re up in the early hours to watch cricket: what do you eat and drink?
98th over: England 276-8 (Rashid 14, Broad 9) Mehedi has a short-leg and two short midwickets, trying to force Rashid to hit with the spin. He’s looking to score, and forces a couple around the corner, the only runs from the over.
97th over: England 274-8 (Rashid 12, Broad 9) Two and a one to Rashid from the first two balls of the over, then a further single each, and England are ticking along this morning. They now look likely to rustle 300, and they’ll be tough to beat from there - or at least would be were they not England.
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96th over: England 269-8 (Rashid 8, Broad 8) Broad sweeps Mehedi for four more, and though he’s got a leg-slip, I wonder if he might move a man deeper from in front of the wicket - I don’t think there’ll be much driving going on.
“Rashid got away with that,” tweets Tim Lezard, “but I’d have been tempted to give him out for stupidity.”
What do you mean? He judged it to perfection. But in general, I strongly agree with the principle; impressionistic scoring is just what cricket needs. Would Woakes be saved from being bowled Accent by handsoming against the spin for four?
95th over: England 265-8 (Rashid 8, Broad 4) Oooh a delightful delivery from Taijul that grips and turns back into Rashid, leaving him propped there like a melting ice lolly. It’s one of six dots, and that’s another maiden.
“So… is spin going to Take Everything today?” emails Adam Hirst. I’ve no ideas what this means, but hopefully someone does!
94th over: England 265-8 (Rashid 8, Broad 4) Rashid nudges a single before Broad gets off the mark with a pre-meditated sweep for four. Meanwhile back to that getting out first ball of the day, you’ve got to laugh. All that thinking, all those plans, all the visualisation; byeeeee!
NOT OUT! Hawkeye shows us that the ball was missing leg stump on line and height!
Er, what a leave that was! What judgment!
94th over: England 260-8 (Rashid 7, Broad 0) No surprise to see Mehedi with the ball from the other end, and Rashid immediately drives him for two, the first runs of the day. But the second delivery is fast and straight, so naturally Rashid leaves it, takes it on the pad, and is given out! But he reviews!
93rd over: England 258-8 (Rashid 5, Broad 0) Taijul fires one in at Broad first up, then gives the next one a little more air. There’s a leg-slip in now and Taijul is right into this, giving Broad nothing. Wicket maiden.
“You know what requires as much dedication as batting on a hot and dry subcontinental day?” asks Krishnan Patel. “Mining a 6 million line long dataset for the whole day and tuning into Willow channel on an iPad on a freezing Minnesotan night and settling in to watch (and read) hours of Test cricket through the night. Test cricket lives on through people like you and me.”
No wonder it’s in such trouble, oh ho ho.
WICKET! Woakes c Mominul b Taijul 36 (England 258-8)
First ball of the day and Taijul, who toiled yesterday for no reward, has his reward! He tosses one up, Woakes pushes forward, is goes straight on, clips bat and pad, then proceeds directly into the hands of the aforementioned short-leg, low down.
Updated
Taijul Islam is warming up, and has a slip and a short-leg...
And out come the players...
Jonny Bairstow reckons it’s “an alright position”, that will become a good one if England bat for an hour this morning. The first hour is crucial, what?
The TV chaps aren’t being allowed anywhere near the square - it’s breaking up as per Nick Knight’s photo. Rob Key reckons 300 will put them ahead of the game.
“Compelling day of cricket,” quotes Philip Morton in Massachusetts. “How do I explain that to my US friends? They don’t understand the tension and drama that every ball might bring.”
Explain it to them? Or failing that, fall back on lazy stereotype and take them through your day of eating and drinking.
I say England ... Science says...
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of #BANvENG. Here is #WinViz at the start of day two pic.twitter.com/QHcPYK88F5
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) October 21, 2016
Updated
More of a problem for England than Bangladesh...
Hole developing on length outside left handers off stump......tough being a lefty!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZJQan8SLBF
— Nick Knight (@NKnightcricket) October 21, 2016
Preamble
“Who’s winning?” is a question we’ve all been asked at various stages of various Test matches, by people trying to annoy us us with their interest or ignorance. “You mean they’ve been playing a whole day, you’ve been watching a whole day, and you don’t even know? What a silly game!”
*Violence*
Ahhhhh.
The temptation is to put England slightly ahead after day 1. They have the runs on the board, a bit of batting still to come, and three spinners. But of those three spinners, none are reliable, plus we’ve no idea what their quicks are going to get done and Bangladesh are at home. Should they be rissoled quickly this morning, they could find themselves in all sorts by close of play, which is to say that we’re set for another compelling interlude of Test cricket. And at the end of five days, it might be a draw! I know!
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