England’s batsmen prospered in the first session of the first Test against Bangladesh yesterday, with Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott putting on 98 as England reached 105 for one at lunch.
Trott hit five fours as his 50 came up in 75 balls and he was 50 not out at lunch, with captain Strauss unbeaten on 40.
Bangladesh decided to bowl on a murky and damp morning at Lord’s, hoping its medium-fast bowling line-up would be able to take advantage of a moist wicket and swing.
The ball moved a little for the first few overs and Alastair Cook was stranded leg before wicket by Shahadat Hossain having scored just seven.
Strauss batted cautiously at first, but hit a six and a four to square leg in the eighth over off the unthreatening seam bowling of Robiul Islam. Trott, driving off the front foot from the start, joined in the attack as the clouds dispersed and the sun deadened the wicket.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan introduced his gentle off-spin in the ninth over, but did not menace, apart from one ball to Strauss that he edged just in front of first slip.
The 50 partnership came up in 72 balls and the 100 was passed shortly before lunch, in 152 balls.
England gave Irish-born batsman Eoin Morgan his Test debut at Lord’s to see if he could replicate his dazzling one-day and Twenty20 form that helped England to victory in the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean earlier this month. Pace bowler Steven Finn was also granted his home debut as England look ahead to the Ashes in Australia later this year.
While Bangladesh still struggles to compete in Test cricket, England is fresh from a series victory over South Africa and will be looking to establish a firm middle order, with Trott, Ian Bell, Morgan and Paul Collingwood competing for places.
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