England remain in charge despite losing five second innings wickets

Graeme Swann picked up five wickets

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Sunday, 14, Mar 2010 12:14

By Richard James.

England remain firmly in charge of the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chittagong, ending day three 434 runs ahead.

The visitors bowled the home team out for 296 thanks to a five-wicket haul from spinner Graeme Swann and cemented their position with some attacking batting towards the end of the day after opting not to enforce the follow-on.

At stumps on day three, England had added another 131 runs to their first innings total, but lost five wickets in the process - including three in the space of five overs late on.

Bangladesh had started the day on 154 for five and the signs were ominous after they only managed to add four runs before the resilient Tamim Iqbal fell for 86, bowled by Tim Bresnan.

However, Naeem Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim then proceeded to frustrate the Alistair Cook's side adding 113 for the eighth wicket after Shahadat Hossain had been dismissed by Steven Finn - his first Test wicket.

The pair were eventually removed though, with Swann taking two of the final three wickets to end with figures of 5-90 and leaving the hosts on 296, still 303 runs behind.

Cook then took the slightly unexpected decision not to enforce the follow-on, perhaps to give his bowlers a rest, and sent England into bat.

The hosts then went about building on their lead with rather a carefree attitude, with Cook falling first for 39 caught off the bowling Mahmudullah.

Jonathan Trott fell 22 runs later, leaving England on 87-2 before Kevin Pietersen took the fight to the Bangladesh bowlers, smashing five fours and a six in his 24-ball 32 before being trapped LBW attempting a sweep.

Michael Carberry and Paul Collingwood then fell in quick succession, leaving England on 131-5 and with a commanding lead.

Cook will now have to decide how long to bat into day four before sending his rested bowlers back out to attempt to dismiss Bangladesh and wrap up the win.