Bell leads England home

Bell: Unbeaten 84

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Ian Bell marked his return to one-day international cricket by guiding England to a six-wicket victory in the first of their three-match series with Bangladesh.

The 28-year-old, making his first ODI appearance since November 2008, scored an unbeaten 84 as England chased down the Tigers' target of 251 at Trent Bridge.

Bangladesh made a competitive total of 250-9 from their 50 overs, with Raqibul Hasan impressing during an innings of 76 before being run out in embarrassing fashion.

But England never looked to be troubled by the target, with Andrew Strauss and Craig Kieswetter putting on an opening stand of 75 before Bell duly brought the victory home.

Skipper Strauss (50) took until the final ball of the first over to put the first runs on the scoreboard, but his cut to the boundary made up for lost time.

Fast runs

The left-hander was soon moving along at faster than a run-a-ball though, taking 15 off a single over from Shafiul Islam (0-46) as England quickly brought up the 50.

Kieswetter was also dispatching the ball to the ropes in the opening stages of the chase but it was Strauss who set the pace with 44 of the hosts' first 66.

Strauss brought up a 22nd ODI half-century but the opening pair were split when a direct hit from Mahmudullah left the captain short on a quick single.

Kieswetter (32) was next to go after falling to all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (2-35), with Bell being sent in at number three and Collingwood four.

The pair did not continue the fireworks but made steady progress, scoring only one boundary in their first 50 together.

Possibly the most dramatic moment of the innings occurred when Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim was caught full in the face by a Faisal Hossain (0-26) delivery.

Junaid Siddique took over the gloves as Mushfiqur was stretchered away in an ambulance, with the stand-in 'keeper taking an easy catch to dismiss Collingwood for 33.

Six

Bell continued with Eoin Morgan, the latter bringing up the 200 with a six before holing out for 23 to bring Michael Yardy (10 not out) to the crease, who accompanied Bell over the finish line.

Earlier, the Bangladesh innings had got off to a rapid-fire start as Tamim Iqbal dispatched James Anderson's first two balls to the boundary before giving Tim Bresnan (2-40) the same treatment.

But Stuart Broad (2-43) trapped the talented opener leg before for 28 and the run-rate began to fall after he made his way back to the pavilion.

Anderson came back into the attack, claiming the wicket of Imrul Kayes (14) and adding two more later on, but despite the wicket he finished an expensive 3-74.

Junaid added some stability, making an unspectacular 51 before being trapped lbw by Yardy (1-15), with Raqibul also unwilling to take unnecessary risks.

Mushfiqur (22) upped the tempo temporarily with a pair of sixes but Raqibul was unable to accelerate his own batting, although he impressively finished the innings' top-scorer on 76.

Raqibul's dismissal was more comical than impressive, however, as Shakib - acting as his runner - was caught stranded halfway down the pitch.

England restricted the Tigers to 24 runs in the final five overs of the innings to ensure they would head into their chase as comfortable favourites.

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