England on Top as Trescothick Fires

The Somerset left-hander, who scored 90 and 96 in the two warm-up games, continued his momentum to hit an unbeaten 77 as England reached 111 without loss when bad light halted play five overs prematurely on the second day.

Trescothick dominated only his third century opening partnership with captain Michael Vaughan, who has scored only one half-century in 19 innings while he has led the side.

Vaughan scratched around at the crease for long periods - at one stage he went 36 balls without scoring - but finished unbeaten on 30 with England firmly on course to claiming a major first innings advantage in the opening match of the two Tests of the series.

Steve Harmison had earlier continued his impressive winter form by claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul to halt a spirited Bangladesh middle-order fightback.

Resuming on 24 for two Bangladesh, a hard-hitting 28 from all-rounder Alok Kapali, a determined 51 from wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud and a quick-fire 32 from Mohammad Rafique took them in sight of a total past 200.

But any hopes of setting a more competitive total were ended when Harmison struck in successive overs after England took the new ball to finish with impressive figures of five for 35.

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