Time’s right for Andrew Strauss to play the tinkerman

Andrew Strauss believes victories are more important than experiments and it is easy to understand why. Last night's six-wicket win against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge was England's eighth in 10 50-over matches, a strong record as they seek to build momentum for next year's World Cup on the subcontinent.

Yet NatWest Series are similar to friendlies in football. Yes, a trophy is awarded to the victors at its conclusion but there is little benefit to be gained beyond that. World ranking points count for little in cricket; beating Bangladesh 3-0 does not guarantee England a favourable draw at the World Cup, nor would defeat give them an arduous one.

Surely, then, Strauss and coach Andy Flower could use a series against one of international cricket's weakest teams to tinker with their line-up and strategies. Both Ian Bell — who scored a classy 84 not out last night — and James Tredwell ought to be retained for tomorrow's second match in Bristol, and they should be joined in the XI by Ajmal Shahzad and Jonathan Trott.

If they are successful with the same plans and the same players between now and the World Cup, England will enter the tournament quietly confident about their chances. Yet much can happen in major tournaments.

Injuries, rapid loss of form, even pedalo adventures in the early hours can force teams to make changes they would never have anticipated. Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to be in the next squad, so there will be no repeat of his brief voyage in the Caribbean Sea during the 2007 World Cup. The Fredalo' incident does, however, illustrate the potential for the unexpected and England will not wish to be taken by surprise.

However this series develops, it is difficult to imagine that Strauss and Flower will learn anything more about Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad or Paul Collingwood. Had they raided the Lions squad for these matches with Bangladesh, valuable information could have been gained about whether the understudies might have the talent required to prosper in a World Cup.

Had Ravi Bopara been included for this series, Strauss and Flower could have assessed the technical changes the 25-year-old has made to his batting. The Lions are captained by Andrew Gale, who hit 90 in their five-wicket win over India A yesterday. Why not take a look at the Yorkshire batsman? Chris Woakes's bowling is highly regarded by the England management and this would have been an ideal time to ease the Warwickshire man into the team.

Even having rejected these changes to personnel, England must surely seek to perfect a Plan B in Bristol tomorrow and at Edgbaston on Monday. If the situation permits it, why not take the batting power-play in the middle of the innings, rather than at the end? Adopting such a strategy would mean that, should they decide to repeat it at the World Cup, England would have experience on which to draw.

Similarly, why do England always take the five-over fielding power-play at the same time in each game? This is not innovation for its own sake, because it would allow Strauss to gauge his bowlers' reaction to an unusual situation.

On last night's evidence, Strauss and his opening partner Craig Kieswetter need some work on their running between the wickets. There had been several uncertain calls between the pair before Strauss, running to the striker's end, was dismissed for 50 by a direct hit from cover.

Yesterday's fixture was the first time a cricket match has been shown in 3D on television. But to be considered strong contenders for the World Cup, England must demonstrate that they are more than a one-dimensional team.