England in command as Bangladesh struggle

England called virtually all the shots on day three of the Chittagong Test, amassing a lead of 292 by tea with eight second innings wickets in hand. It followed another five-wicket haul for Richard Johnson - his second in two Tests - as Bangladesh were dismissed for 152.

Marcus Trescothick will bat only if necessary after spraining ligaments in his thumb attempting a catch yesterday evening, and the same applies to Rikki Clarke who has a stomach bug. Mark Butcher opened England's second innings with Michael Vaughan, pummelling 17 in the two overs England had to bat before lunch. Bangladesh's woes deepened after the interval when Mashrafe Mortaza twisted a knee during his follow through.

Taking his cue from Butcher, Vaughan produced two sumptuous drives to maintain England's momentum, but Butcher (42) fell to Mohammad Rafique for the third time in the series as he edged behind attempting a steer to third man. Vaughan (25) was run out in a dreadful misunderstanding, answering a call for a non-existent single after Nasser Hussain pushed straight to gully.

Unruffled, Graham Thorpe clubbed two fierce leg-side boundaries and Hussain recovered from the run out to blossom delightfully as tea approached, mixing magnificent drives with deft late cuts as Bangladesh toiled in the heat.

Bangladesh's batsmen, despite avoiding the follow-on, were always on the back foot today. Rajin Saleh, who had survived a torrid examination yesterday evening, lasted just six overs before a cramped attempt to cut Johnson was edged to Chris Read behind the stumps. In Johnson's next over Khaled Mashud was stitched up by another short delivery, fending it to substitute fielder Paul Collingwood in the gully.

With the follow-on looming Khaled Mahmud responded aggressively with a run-a-ball 15 before he was out in much the same way as Mashud, caught by Collingwood off Johnson, the follow-on was as good as saved. An edge past second slip to the third man boundary from Rafique ensured England would bat again.

Saggers took his first Test wicket when he found away movement to have the obdurate Mushfiqur Rahman caught behind. Mortaza lost his off stump having a mow at Johnson, and Enamul Haque Junior hooked Saggers down to Matthew Hoggard at long leg.