WICKETS TUMBLE BEFORE STOKES & BAIRSTOW PUT ENGLAND IN DRIVING SEAT

An outstanding all-round performance from Ben Stokes left England in a strong position following the conclusion of day three in Chittagong.

The 25-year-old starred with both bat and ball either side of a spin dominant period for the hosts, which at one point, reduced England to 62-5.

Bangladesh bowler, Shakib Al Hasan also took five wickets in a day that the momentum continued to switch from one side to another.

Bangladesh began the day's play on 221-5, following an impressive 78 from former Nottinghamshire batsmen, Tamim Iqbal the previous day.

They lost their first wicket very early on the third morning, however when Al Hasan (31), tempted by a delivery from Moeen Ali advanced down the wicket – before being brilliantly stumped by Jonny Bairstow.

Nightwatchman, Shafiul Islam (2), was next to fall, Stuart Broad in the action as a delivery from Adil Rashid was eventually chipped his way at mid-on.

Mehedi Hasan, the first innings villain of the piece as far as England were concerned – was walking back to the pavilion five balls later. He was bowled a beauty by Stokes, who began his starring role on the third day.

Stokes, who was also a key performer in the ODI series for England, reduced the hosts to 248-9 in the 86^th over when he had Sabbir Rahman caught at first slip by Alastair Cook to put the tourists in a commanding position on day three.

The innings was finished in the same Stokes over when Kamrul Islam was bowled without scoring, Bangladesh finishing on 248 all out.

England, who had a lead of 45 going into their second innings, began fairly brightly, Cook and Ben Duckett, steadily progressed the score to 26 without loss in the opening stages.

Cook (12), however, was first to fall. It was Mehedi yet again who was doing the business, a well-pitched delivery from the spinner found the edge of the England Captain, who was well caught at slip by Mahmudullah.

Al Hasan then took his first wicket of the innings, Joe Root trapped LBW for one, before adding his second soon after, Duckett caught at short leg for 15, England struggling on 28-3 at lunch.

England were soon 62-5 after the break, Gary Balance sweeping Taijul Islam into the hands of Imrul Kayes at leg slip, before Al Hasan returned to take his third, Moeen Ali caught behind for 14.

A fighting effort from Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow began to steady the ship for England and took them into the tea break with a 153-run lead.

The pair continued to press after the break and had added 127 for the sixth wicket before Bairstow, who had become the leading run scorer by a wicketkeeper in a calendar year earlier in his knock, chopped onto his own stumps on 47.

Stokes eventually fell for 85, trapped LBW to give Al Hasan his fourth wicket, before the Bangladesh spinner went to his 15^th five-wicket haul in Tests when Adil Rashid was trapped LBW for nine.

Broad (10*) and Chris Woakes (11*) then extended England’s lead to 273 by the close of play, the tourists closing on 228-8.

Nottinghamshire Members can take in every moment of the absorbing red ball contests & explosive one day encounters that characterise the county cricket season, as well as gaining priority access to tickets for Test cricket's return to Trent Bridge.

Become part of the priveleged and join our Club now...