England ease to six-wicket opening win

INNINGS of contrasting style from Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell saw England to a comfortable six-wicket win in the first one-day international against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge.

Strauss teed off to the tune of 50 in 37 balls at the top of the order while Bell top-scored with an expertly measured 84 not out to see England past a moderate target of 251 with 29 balls to spare and give them the perfect start to the three-match series.

Both men have had their suitability for 50-over cricket questioned in recent times but, in a match which was the first international to be broadcast in 3D, the pair proved they have more than one dimension.

Bell, making his first ODI appearance since November 2008 in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen, has particular cause for satisfaction after ensuring England maintained their 100 per cent record over the Tigers in all forms of the game.

Strauss got off the mark with a trademark cut for four of the final ball of the opening over but was soon collecting runs in less familiar areas.

He took 15 off a single Shafiul Islam over, a lofted drive over extra-cover the pick of three boundaries, as England posted 50 off just seven overs.

Craig Kieswetter also found the ropes early in his innings but, with 44 of England's 66 after 10 overs, Strauss was setting the pace.

Kieswetter's emergence had led some to question whether Strauss' methods at the top of the order were out-dated but, having already answered his critics in the series win over Australia, he was now toying with them.

A dashed single saw him to a 22nd ODI 50 but when the pair attempted another, Strauss failed to make his ground. Kieswetter hit one six in his 32 but fell to Shakib Al Hasan attempting a second.

Bell then pushed on to a 16th half-century in 68 balls, while Eoin Morgan brought up the 200 with a nonchalant six over wide mid-on but holed out for 23, leaving Michael Yardy to join Bell at the close.