England vs Bangladesh: Ben Stokes century and late Jos Buttler fireworks help England set 310 target
England 309, Bangladesh 0-0: Tourists post imposing total in first One-Day International
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Your support makes all the difference.Ben Stokes' maiden one-day international hundred allied to a mature debut innings from Ben Duckett and an explosive Jos Buttler cameo propelled England to an imposing total against Bangladesh at Dhaka.
Stokes has so far flattered to deceive in a format that seems tailor made for his brutal batting talents and although he was twice dropped here, his 101 lifted England to a total of 309 for eight in the first day-night ODI.
Duckett, making his international bow, is capable of being equally as explosive but largely reined in his attacking instincts to support Stokes, and his 60 in hot and humid conditions was impressive as the pair shared a 153-run stand.
Stand-in captain Buttler then blitzed a phenomenal 38-ball 63 to steer England, who won the toss, to a challenging score.
The tourists were coming up against the side that knocked them out of the World Cup last year, a defeat which proved something of a nadir and was the catalyst for a new dynamic approach in the shorter forms.
Jason Roy was characteristically busy but opening partner James Vince departed for 16 after spooning Shafiul Islam to mid-on.
Roy deposited Mosaddek Hossain over the midwicket boundary but was out in the next over for 41 after being caught at long-off, and England were in some strife on 63 for three when Jonny Bairstow ran himself out after attempting a quick single.
Stokes appeared ill at ease early on, scoring just seven from his first 17 balls, as the Tigers looked to strangle England with spin, but the Durham all-rounder settled after disdainfully thumping Mosaddek into the stands.
Two more meaty blows followed and Stokes demonstrated his growing confidence with a reverse sweep for four bringing up a 45-ball fifty.
Duckett was more measured in his approach but he provided vital support to Stokes, who was dropped on 69 and 71, and the 21-year-old Northamptonshire batsman moved unassumingly to his half-century off 63 balls before he too was given a life on 59.
Duckett added only one more to his tally before being cleaned bowled by Shafiul, while Stokes, who averaged a fraction over 25 in his 44 previous ODIs, moved to three figures for the first time in this format with a single through his favoured midwicket region.
He was out for 101, with eight fours and four sixes, as he attempted to go for another big shot while Moeen Ali succumbed to the short ball, hooking to deep backward square-leg.
As darkness descended, it seemed like England might struggle to reach 300 but skipper Buttler emphatically took them beyond that.
Like Stokes, Buttler too started slowly but three sixes and two fours in the space of seven balls helped him to a 33-ball fifty and his team to an encouraging total.
PA
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