Tredwell takes four second innings wickets as England beat Bangladesh

By Sam Dixon

A fine spell of off-spin bowling by James Tredwell (pictured) helped set up a winning position for England as the tourists completed a comfortable series whitewash over Bangladesh in Dhaka after securing a nine wicket victory on the last day.

The 28 year-old Kent spinner took three of the four wickets on offer on day five as Bangladesh were bowled out for 285 setting England a target of 209 from 54 overs; a chase that was never in doubt as Alastair Cook“s century led the way.

Resuming on 172 for six, the Tigers needed a captain“s knock to help set England a challenging total and Shakib Al Hasan did not disappoint. Firstly he starred in a seventh wicket stand of 63 with Shafiul Islam and just as Cook“s men looked to be frustrated he chucked the new ball to Tredwell and he duly delivered. On 28, Islam aimed a huge heave to deep mid-wicket but miscued and Jonathan Trott took a difficult catch to make amends for dropping a dolly on day four.

England sensed an opening and Tredwell drove home their advantage. After Matt Prior dropped Shakib, the off-spinner captured his third wicket of the innings when Naeem Islam had a rush of blood and attempted to hit Tredwell out of the ground. He failed and Kevin Pietersen held the catch at long-on. The hosts were now 258 for eight. Just before lunch, Steve Finn pounced to trap Abdur Razzak plumb in-front for eight.

In the first over after lunch Tredwell wrapped up the innings. Four short of a deserved century, Shakib attempted to reach the milestone in style by charging down the wicket and hitting over the top but the Kent star took the pace off the ball, the Tigers captain ran past it and Prior completed the stumping. The innings was over and England were set a modest total of 209 to win. Tredwell finished up with fine figures of four for 82 from his 34 overs.

Bangladesh failed to put England under any pressure early on as openers Cook and Trott saw off the new-ball with ease. It took an error in judgement on the batsmen“s behalf to enable the hosts to find a breakthrough as Trott was run out for 19, leaving the score at 42 for one. However the wicket meant Pietersen arrived at the crease and he immediately set about whittling the total down as he dismissed any recent problems in dealing with left-arm spin.

He and Cook raced along at over six-runs-per-over in the first hour of the evening session. Firstly Cook went to his half-century, off 92 balls, in the 27th over, then the century partnership came up in the 33rd over before Pietersen completed his own fifty from 55 balls in knock that included six fours and one six.

England were cruising by now, at 162 for one, with Cook looking good for a ton; unbeaten on 87 with only 47 runs needed for victory. Pietersen even began to showboat as he allowed himself to bring out the ‘switch-hit“ shot and did so to great effect as he hammered Mahmudullah down to the third-man boundary.

Cook reached his century off 151 balls, an innings that included ten boundaries to cap a fine debut tour as captain. Soon after, he hit the winning runs as England took glory by nine wickets with ten overs left in the match. Cook finished unbeaten on 109 whereas Pietersen was untroubled too as he raced to 74 off just 79 balls.

Tredwell can be delighted with his efforts on debut as he finished with match figures of six for 181 and contributed a valuable 37 with the bat.

Picture:Getty Images