Bangladesh 237 for 7 (Mahmudullah 7*, Shahadat 3*, Finn 4-75) trail England 505 by 268 runs…

Early wickets are the priority for England when the third day of the opening npower Test finally gets under way at Lord’s.

Bangladesh’s top order showed commendable application in reaching 172 for two by the close yesterday and, although they trail by 333, they enhanced their reputation and frustrated England in equal measure.

However, both sides were kept waiting by the weather this morning, with rain delaying the scheduled 11am start. The immediate prospects of play looked slim.

When play does begin, Junaid Siddique, having survived a barrage of short balls early in his innings, will resume on 53, alongside the obdurate Jahurul Islam, who is 16 not out.

England, for their part, will be keen to improve on an often ill-disciplined display with the ball, and they would be well advised to maintain a fuller length if they are to reap greater rewards on a largely placid surface.

Steven Finn was the only bowler to break through in the 53 overs they bowled yesterday, removing Imrul Kayes for 43 after Tamim Iqbal had been run out by Kevin Pietersen for an ebullient 55.

Source: ECB