JOE ROOT guided England to an emphatic victory in the Champions Trophy but there was an agonising cost with Chris Woakes the principal victim.
Root’s innings of 133 not out – plus 95 from Alex Hales and 75 not out from Eoin Morgan – could not conceal England’s anxiety at how Woakes’ injury has shredded their plans.
The Warwickshire all-rounder and main ‘death’ bowler is almost certainly out of the tournament with a side strain.
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He underwent a scan last night and, even though they do not play New Zealand until next Tuesday, the prognosis is not encouraging.
England might be forced to call up a replacement with Middlesex pair Steven Finn and Toby Roland-Jones and Surrey’s Tom Curran the main contenders. They are unlikely to resist any temptation to recall Stuart Broad.
Root hobbled for most of his innings because of a calf problem. He will be examined again on Friday morning but the star batsman insisted it was nothing more than cramp and he will be fine.
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Captain Morgan said: “This is a very good win but it is tempered a little by the injury to Chris. He’s been very impressive over the last couple of years, very reliable and one of our mainstays. It is a worry.
“But the other guys picked up the load. When one of your main bowlers can only bowl two overs, to restrict them to 305 when they looked like getting 330 at one stage was outstanding.”
After Jason Roy failed again, attempting an out-of-character paddle shot that went straight to short fine leg, Hales and Root put on 159 for the second wicket.
Hales powered along and, with a sense of theatre, tried to reach his century with a second successive six. He succeeded only in finding the hands of deep mid-wicket.
Root was busy, efficient and professional and scarcely made a mistake. This was his tenth one-day international century and a global event is a good place for the Yorkshireman to prove his has few peers on the planet.
Morgan made sure there were no late hiccups by scoring at better than a run-a-ball. England got home with 16 balls to spare.
Woakes bowled just two overs before walking off the field. He missed England’s previous two matches against South Africa with a thigh niggle but this was a fresh injury. And there are few worse injuries for quick bowlers than a side strain.
With Ben Stokes nursing his knee problem, England’s resources are under pressure.
Jake Ball was surprisingly chosen ahead of wrist-spinner Adil Rashid but conceded 82 in his ten overs. At least Stokes was able to get through seven overs, although he did have another angry verbal exchange with his old foe Tamim Iqbal, who scored his fifth century against England in all formats.
Liam Plunkett took four wickets – including Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim in two balls.
The pair put on 166 for the third wicket but their dismissals reduced Bangladesh’s total from a likely 330-plus to 305-6 in 50 overs.
After Roy’s early departure – he will continue to keep his place ahead of Jonny Bairstow – England cruised along. Amazingly, it was the highest run chase in the history of the Champions Trophy.
Tamim lost his temper again when he claimed a catch at long-on to dismiss Morgan but the umpires’ soft signal was not out and the third official confirmed Morgan’s reprieve.
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