Wicket-keeper Matt Prior was chosen to open with skipper Andrew Strauss in the World Cup match against Bangladesh on Friday, ending swirling speculation over the past few days.
Prior walked out with Strauss after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.
He made 15 in an opening stand of 32 when he was dismissed in bizarre fashion, stumped by his Bangladesh counterpart Mushfiqur Rahim off Abdur Razzak's first delivery.
Rahim removed the bails off a wide ball down the leg-side, but even though Prior dragged his back foot in just in time, he again wandered out of his crease.
Seeing the batsman out of his ground, Rahim uprooted a stump to ensure the decision, which was referred to the TV umpire, went in his favour.
Strauss needed a new partner after Kevin Pietersen, who had opened in the first four matches, returned home to undergo hernia surgery.
The free-scoring Pietersen had revelled in his new position, contributing to stands of 105, 68 and 91 in the first three games.
The choice was limited to Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara or Prior, who are all essentially middle-order batsmen but capable of having a hit at the start.
Strauss on Thursday refused to name his opening partner even though he insisted the choice had already been made.
Prior, 29, who has opened in the past, had scored 1,224 runs in 65 previous one-dayers at an average of 24.00.
