Bangladesh-England 3rd ODI today
ECB declines request to add reserve day for todays Bangladesh-England 3rd ODI in Ctg
Sports Reporter, CTG
Rain is likely to play a spoilsport in the series deciding third and final ODI between Bangladesh and England at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today when the prospect of an intriguing battle is on the cards. The series is now tied 1-1. Any serious rain in Chittagong today would surely ruin the match as the ECB has also declined a request from the BCB to include a reserve day for this third ODI, according to a report of ESPNcricinfo.
On Monday, 30mm of rain was recorded in the port city which is experiencing unseasonal rain. Tuesday also saw plenty of rain, and the drizzle continued in the evening. Both teams were forced indoor for training while the ground was mostly under covers. The forecast for Wednesday isnt encouraging but there is chance of rain abating after 4pm which could offer a shortened game.
The ECB said that they did consider the request but the nature of the tour didnt allow them the last-minute change. The trip has been subject to unprecedented levels of security planning following the July terror attacks - with multiple agencies working together to create a bubble around the teams - while the schedule is also very condensed with Englands Test warm-up matches starting on Friday.
The ECB were asked today whether it would be possible to schedule a rain day - we did consider the request. At this late stage, and on a compact tour, it is sadly not possible, said the ECB spokesman. The majority of our one-day players return to the UK on Thursday and the Test players are already preparing for upcoming Tests next week. We would clearly love to conclude the series and hope to get the game in tomorrow.
The BCBs cricket operations committee chairman Akram Khan said that they put forward the offer because of the weather. We asked if they would want to have the reserve day but they said no, said Akram.
Things got heated up following the send-off and shoulder-barging incident for which England accused Bangladesh. The home side however said they had just celebrated like the way everyone celebrates of getting a big wicket. Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and batsman Sabbir Rahman got fined for the incident while England stand-in captain Jos Buttler was warned what irked Bangladeshi fans. It also frustrated the Bangladeshi players but they accepted it without any protest.
There was even publicity by the fans through social media outlet the whole stadium would remain silent after the dismissal of Jos Buttler in the final game as a protest of England captains overreaction of just a mere celebration.
As history beckons Bangladesh to clinch first ever series victory over England and extend their winning streak to the bilateral series to seven, Mashrafe said, his side would concentrate on playing their best cricket, keeping the other issues aside, if weather permits.
Our team is completely normal and I am hundred percent sure that my team is not thinking about this we are just thinking of how we can play the third ODI well. I am sure all our players will be calm and we will try to do our best in the final ODI, Mashrafe said.
England also vows to come out all guns blazing after so much happened with the on and off field issues. I think it will just fire both teams up. I think both teams will be wanting to win more than before now. For us obviously Bangladesh have not lost a home series for six series now and we want to do that anyway. And I know some of our players, especially our captain will want to desperately want to win this game, England all-rounder Moeen Ali said.
