England skipper Alastair Cook fears hangover for India after Bangladesh humiliation
England skipper Alastair Cook admitted concern that his side’s monumental collapse which handed Bangladesh victory in the second Test in Dhaka may have lasting consequences when they face the might of India next month.
The tourists wilted from a position of strength at 100-0 to 164 all out as Bangladesh’s spinners Mehedi Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan claimed all 10 wickets to rout a beleaguered England in the space of a single session after tea.
Victory was Bangladesh’s first over England and their eighth in Test cricket, while the Tigers had only beaten Zimbabwe and a weakened West Indies in their past 95 red-ball tussles.
Such a harrowing defeat, which levelled the series at 1-1, was not ideal preparation for England’s five-Test showdown with India, the world’s No1-ranked Test side, which starts on 9 November – a worry not lost on Cook.
“It could have a damaging effect and this is when we need to really stay strong as a group,” said Cook.
“When you’re at home, you can get away from it for a couple of days, but we haven’t got that luxury.
“Where we are at the moment, with the security, getting out of the hotel is very hard. We have to watch guys and make sure we as a group stay together and put a few things on to take the guys’ minds away from it.”
Having earlier dismissed their hosts for 296, England lost all 10 wickets in just 22.5 overs chasing 273 for the win, which represented the third worst collapse in history by a side that had reached 100 without loss.
“It’s very easy sitting back and saying it’s just Bangladesh,” added Cook. “But in these conditions on spinning wickets, their bowlers are good, they’re experienced. I know the guy who got 19 wickets [in the series] isn’t experienced, but he’s a very good bowler and he’s experienced in these conditions. It has been really tough.”
England appeared to be cruising with Cook and opening partner Ben Duckett at the crease. The Northamptonshire batsman registered his first Test half-century, only for his departure at the hands of 19-year-old off-spinner Mehedi to prompt chaos.
Vice-captain Joe Root, under-pressure Gary Ballance and all-rounder Moeen Ali were all dismissed for single-figure scores, before Cook fell to Mehedi for 59.
Aside from a knock of 25 by Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, there was little resistance offered by an England side supposedly noted for its batting depth, as Bangladesh were left to celebrate the biggest win in their history.