CHESTER-LE-STREET, England, 6 June 2005 — Matthew Hoggard took five wickets for 73 as England wrapped up an innings-and-27-run win over Bangladesh in the second and final Test yesterday to win the series 2-0.
The touring side had looked in danger of becoming only the fifth side to lose a Test in two days since World War II but clung on to close Saturday on 297 for eight, still needing 46 to make the home side bat again.
They lasted only 26 more balls on Sunday, however. Hoggard, who had taken three wickets for two runs late on Saturday, removed Tapash Baisya in the fourth over of a drab morning as the tailender edged behind.
Mashrafe Mortaza followed in similar fashion five balls later, Marcus Trescothick holding the catch at first slip at the second attempt, as Bangladesh were bowled out for 316.
Aftab Ahmed, the last recognized batsman, was left stranded on a run-a-ball 82 not out, hitting one six and 13 fours. Hoggard, with eight wickets for 79 overall, was man of the match.
“We had set ourselves the goal of winning in two days and I think we went chasing wickets on Saturday rather than sticking to our disciplines,” England captain Michael Vaughan said.
Asked what he had learned about his side in the run-up to the Ashes starting in July, Vaughan added: “It’s been easier than I expected. There were stages when it was pretty easy. It’s difficult to judge what we have learnt when you win easily.”
It was the first time England had won five successive Test series since 1969-71. It was also the side’s 14th win in 18 Test starts, set against a single defeat. Bangladesh have won just one of their 38 Tests. Bangladesh’s final innings of the series easily surpassed their three previous efforts — 108 and 159 at Lord’s, followed by their first innings of 104 at The Riverside.
England’s 447 for three declared was built on Trescothick’s 151 and Ian Bell’s 162 not out, his maiden century in his third Test.
Meantime, captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday Australia face a tougher challenge to retain the Ashes against a much improved England squad.
The Australians flew in earlier in the day at the start of a three-month tour ready to defend the Ashes, which they have held since 1989, establishing a record sequence of eight series wins. England have climbed to second in the world rankings but Australia are favorites at 2-5 to win the series. Bookmakers rate England 7-2 against regaining the Ashes and offer 9-2 against a drawn series.
Ponting told a media conference: “England thoroughly deserve their number two ranking.They’ve beaten almost everybody they’ve come up against in Test cricket over the last couple of years. It would indicate that they’ve improved quite a bit as a team
