There may be something faintly ridiculous, comical even, about England starting a series in Bangladesh within hours of completing one in New Zealand, but there is no lack of seriousness about the task facing them on their first visit here for seven years, nor about the group of players they have assembled for it.
This trip had originally been planned for the autumn of 2021, but was rescheduled for a variety of reasons, not least a chronic case of bubble fatigue. What was intended to be last-minute preparation for a World Cup in one format has become long-distance preparation for another in another. After three ODIs followed by as many T20s, England’s white-ball side will pack away their pyjamas until September, when New Zealand and Ireland visit in the weeks before they defend their 50-over title in India.
