Tredwell shines with bat and ball in Bangladesh

By Sam Dixon

Kent star James Tredwell (pictured) demonstrated his fine all-round skills on the penultimate day of the second Test-match, as England took firm control against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Firstly Tredwell showed his prowess with the bat, making an enterprising 37, to help England build a valuable lead before bowling a marathon 23 over spell that included the wicket of Junaid Siddique and two dropped catches.

England resumed on 440 for eight, a lead of 21 over the Tigers, with Tredwell yet to get off the mark and Tim Bresnan going along nicely at the other end; unbeaten on 74. The pair batted conservatively in the opening hour and, after putting on 47, Bresnan fell just nine short of a maiden Test-match ton when he danced down the wicket off the bowling of Abdur Razzak, misread the flight and was duly stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim. The Yorkshire man“s dismissal sparked Tredwell to up the tempo as he crunched two boundaries from one Shakib Al-Hasan over before perishing in the same way to Bresnan for a promising 37 on debut. His 63-ball knock included six boundaries and led England to 496 all-out – a lead of 77.

The off-spinner then settled into his main role in attempting to bowl Bangladesh out. He joined the attack as early as the sixth over, ahead of premier spinner Graeme Swann, and nearly struck with his second ball but Matt Prior failed to snare a catch behind the stumps after Tamim Iqbal had nicked off. Stuart Broad bowled Tamim“s opening partner, Imrul Kayes, for four in the very next over leaving Bangladesh struggling on 23 for one. Tamim continued to steady the ship alongside Junaid Siddique before the golden arm of Swann struck to dismiss the talented opener for 52, with Broad taking the catch at point. Tredwell continued to cause problems and finally got his reward just before tea. The wicket had a huge element of luck to it, but it was luck the 28 year-old deserved as Junaid drove the ball powerfully into Alastair Cook“s boot at silly point before looping up into Tredwell“s grateful hands. He completed a simple caught and bowled opportunity to leave Bangladesh 115 for three at the interval – a lead of just 39.

All-rounder Bresnan continued his fine form early in the evening session as he had Mahmudullah caught behind for six. Tredwell continued to be used as the spin option by Cook, and his probing line meant the home side were restricted to a pedestrian run-rate, below three, before he was finally given a rest after reeling off 23 overs from one end. Bangladesh battled hard though, with Shakib and debutant Jahurul Islam staving off an accurate England attack until Swann returned to bowl the latter for 43 to leave them 156 for five going into the last hour of play. Just as it looked as though Bangladesh would go through to close without any further losses, Broad pounced again to clean up Rahim for three. The hosts finished the day on 172 for six – a lead of 95. Tredwell can be proud of his day“s efforts as he ended with figures of one for 59 off 23 consecutive overs. Swann (two for 38) and Broad (two for 37) also impressed for England. Shakib will now need to show all his fighting abilities tomorrow morning as he resumes unbeaten on 25.

Picture:Getty Images