DHAKA: Liam Plunkett is set to return to England's World Cup side against Bangladesh and will be fully prepared if the contest descends into another "niggly" encounter.

England's defeat to Pakistan on Monday was notable not just for a sizeable reversal of the form book, but also for the fractious nature of the contest.

Jason Roy and Jofra Archer were both fined for their on-field conduct - the former for swearing in the field, the latter for his reaction to a wide call - while the mild-mannered Chris Woakes felt compelled to 'shhh' a particularly vocal section of a split crowd after taking a catch on the boundary.

England would not like to admit they were needled by Pakistan's verbals but are wary that Bangladesh have previous form for similar, specifically during an ill-tempered 2016 defeat in Dhaka.

At 34, Plunkett is the elder statesman of the squad and though his expected recall at Sophia Gardens on Saturday owes most to a reliable wicket-taking knack in the middle overs, his calm head may also prove a useful addition.

"Pakistan are pretty good like that, they can get niggly. When they're on top they're good at doing it," he said.

"Similarly Bangladesh and India, they're good at doing that, good at appealing quite a lot. It's just the way they play their cricket.

"But we've played in big competitions, guys have played around the world - at IPL and Big Bash in front of big crowds - it shouldn't be too much for the players.

However, Bangladesh will face host England in the 12th match of the World Cup, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff at Bangladesh time 3:30pm Saturday (June 8).

With Evening Standard inputs

BDST: 1707 HRS, JUN 7, 2019
SI