Tour match, Derby (day one, close): Bangladesh 220 v England Lions 125-3 Match scorecard  Cook has now scored only 258 runs in nine first-class innings |
Alastair Cook endured more frustration with the bat as he fell for a disappointing 31 playing for England Lions against Bangladesh at Derby. The Lions closed day one on 124-3 after dismissing the tourists for 220 with Ravi Bopara, back from England's ICC Twenty20 World Cup triumph, taking 3-9. But Bopara was out for only 12 before Andrew Gale (63 no) led the recovery. The tourists are sweating over skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal ahead of next week's first Test at Lord's. Shakib has been ruled out of the ongoing match at Derby as he is suffering from chickenpox while Iqbal is still feeling discomfort from a hand injury. Coach Jamie Siddons said: "We can't replace those two. We have got replacements here but not of that quality. "Shakib got a couple of new spots yesterday so I guess the virus is still lingering. He's got six or seven days before he needs to put his boots on so he's leaving it pretty tight. "We are definitely keen to have him in there (at Lord's), especially as a bowler. He was at the ground today, 99% of our players have had it and he's staying away from one or two that haven't." This is the final chance for England's Lions players to impress ahead of the selection of the squad for next week's Lord's Test. But opener Cook, who captained England during the winter tour of Bangladesh, again failed to shine with the bat. He was dismissed when pulling Rubel Hossain to mid-on.  | 606: DEBATE |
However, Steve Kirby impressed with the ball taking three wickets in 18 balls while Chris Woakes weighed in with 3-53. Cook, who is leading the Lions, reflected: "It's just one of those things and you've got to keep working and trust a bit of luck will turn your way. "I would like to be in a bit better nick but we all know with batting that one score changes everything and hopefully that will be next week. "The hardest thing is getting in, then you cash in and make it count and that's what I haven't been doing this year. Hopefully it's more of a mental thing that I can address over the next week." Bangladesh had batted well in the morning after they were put in against a Lions attack which struggled for the right length. But despite the best efforts of Imrul Kayes (42) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (40), the innings was undermined by some rash shots with the Lions rattling them out in just 57.2 overs.
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