Jake Ball’s maiden one-day international assignment could not have come in a more difficult environment, according to England Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace.

The Nottinghamshire fast bowler starred with seven wickets at an average of 19.86 as England triumphed 2-1 in Bangladesh, ending the Tigers’ seven match unbeaten run in home series.

Ball produced a match-winning five wicket haul in the opening ODI of the series, a performance made all the more remarkable as he battled intense heat having not featured in the warm-up fixture that preceded the game.

The 25-year-old ended the series taking the new ball and bowling at the death for his country.

Farbrace said the level of security required by the England players, together with the flashpoints precipitated a fiercely competitive series, made Bangladesh a tricky environment for the likes of Ball, Ben Duckett and Sam Billings to make their breakthroughs on the international stage.

"For some of us who have been around for a little while it's still been quite an interesting, daunting trip," said the Assistant Coach.

"There's been a lot around this tour - whether we should come or not come, whether the players would come.

“You get here and you see the guns and SWAT team. That's quite a lot for young blokes to take on board.

“The ones who have come will go away with a series win in a spicy series, but for a lot of young blokes it's been a good learning experience too.”

Farbrace believes the opportunity provided to fringe players by the absence of Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Alex Hales will benefit England in the long run.

While Root was rested ahead of a grueling schedule in five-day cricket, Morgan and Hales elected not to travel due to security concerns.

Farbrace expects Morgan, as captain, and Hales, as the established opener who recently broke his country’s all-time record individual score against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, to return to the fold for the next white ball assignment in India in the new year.

“There are a lot of good friends in this team which makes it easier for Morgs and Hales to come back in the side – and they will come back in January," said Farbrace.

"On field there are huge positives and, in the end, it is probably a good thing that some didn't come.

“When you think about it, last night four of the top six who don't regularly play chased down a very tricky score.

“We felt we were very capable of getting it, but it did take some decent batting to get there.

“To win, but win it with a few different players, as well as the off-field experience, that can only be good."

Jos Butter, who captained his country in Morgan’s temporary absence, received praise from the former Yorkshire and Sri Lanka coach.

"Morgs is the leader, but it's been great that Jos has had the experience," said Farbrace.

"He (Morgan) will definitely be captain in India. There can't be any way around it. He deserves it.

“His team is continually improving, and he has definitely been the leader and allowed so many guys to play that way.

"On and off the field, we have seen Jos has more to him than others thought. He doesn't say a great deal, but when he does, people listen.

“The cricket challenge is only one side. He has been very impressive with everything he dealt with, even the skirmishes in that second game, the way he dealt with that was very good. It was a great learning experience for him.

"The emotional side of it he has found quite tough, and selection is tough too. You go from being one of the lads with mates in the team, to knocking on their door and saying you're not playing.

“I don't think you could get a tougher series to start off with as captain, because there has been as much said about the off-the-field stuff as on the field."

 

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