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March 24, 2010

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England closes in on series win

ENGLAND was on the verge of sweeping the two-test series against Bangladesh yesterday, trailing by 95 runs with only four wickets left to take by stumps on the fourth day.

Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann claimed two wickets each to restrict Bangladesh to 172-6 at the National Stadium.

Tamim Iqbal scored 52 off 68 balls, including five boundaries, for his seventh test 50 after being dropped on 47 by Jonathan Trott. His innings ended when he was caught by Broad off Swann, who later bowled Jahurul Islam for 43.

Broad took 2-37 and Swann 2-38.

Junaid Siddique was caught and bowled by James Tredwell in the other wicket to fall between lunch and tea.

Broad claimed the first Bangladesh wicket when he bowled Imrul Kayes for 4 with the total on 23 late in the day's first session. He then bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for 3 to put Bangladesh into a perilous position.

Mahmudullah was caught behind for 6 by Matt Prior off Tim Bresnan.

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten at stumps on 25 along with nightwatchman Shafiul Islam, who was yet score.

Earlier, Bresnan guided England to a 77-run first-innings lead.

Bresnan finished nine runs short of his maiden test hundred, adding 17 to his overnight score before he was out to Abdur Razzak. Razzak also removed Tredwell for 37 to return figures of 3-132 as England was all out for 496 in reply to Bangladesh's 419.

Bresnan shared a 143-run sixth-wicket stand with Bell (138) to all but ensure England would have a first-innings lead.

"Nine runs are nine runs, it's the contribution to the team that I'm more happy with," Bresnan told reporters.

"We've managed to get in front on a slow scoring wicket and I feel we've set it up perfectly for a win tomorrow," he said.

"I think four quick wickets tomorrow and we chase 150 and win, that's how I see it.

"We will be chasing a total I have a feeling about that, especially after getting the key wicket of Mushfiqur. We've got a nightwatchman in tomorrow and then Naeem, who'll hang in a bit, but if we can get them out we are sniffing a win," he added.

England won the first test by 181 runs.



 

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