England Made To Work For Win

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England were tested on the final day of their first test with Bangladesh today and had to dig deep to take the final wickets in the 181-run victory. Questions were asked as to why stand in captain Alastair Cook did not enforce the follow on after England set the hosts a huge target of 599 in the first innings. The victory was eventually sealed though and Cook was pleased with the performance of his men, in particular; spin bowler Graeme Swann, who took a remarkable 10 wickets over the two innings. Cook said of his bowlers:"The way our lads, the three seamers and Swanny stuck at their task in really hot conditions was fantastic though and we are really happy." Adding on Swann: “Swanny has been unbelievable over the past 12 months and to keep turning performances like this in and winning matches, well you couldn't ask for any more," said Cook. "His 10 wickets were thoroughly deserved." Spinner Swan was delighted with his own man of the match performance and gave his captain his backing. “It's been a good 12 months for me and I'm more than happy for it to keep going," Swann said. "It was hard work, and I think that's why Cooky was justified in not enforcing the follow on." Skipper Cook also had words for the teams critics, feeling he and the coaching team were proved right in the decisions made over the course of the test. We won the game and that is all that matters," he said. "The follow on was a very easy decision. We had bowled for 90 overs before and the bowlers deserved a break from that heat. "The way we bowled and ran in the heat for 120 overs in the second innings then the decision was justified." England go into the second and final test as huge favourites to whitewash an inexperienced Bangladesh side. Boylesports are offering odds of 1/66 for them to win and have odds of 14/1 for a shock loss in the next test and a drawn series.

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