LORD'S // Steven Finn led the way on his home ground as England's seamers made the most of the time available on a weather-interrupted third day of the first Test against Bangladesh yesterday. England, who had managed only two Bangladesh wickets for 172 in reply to 505 yesterday, were frustrated by rain until 3.20pm. Bad light then ate up another 21 of the 50 overs scheduled, but the pace attack was much more on its mettle this time, reducing Bangladesh to 237 for seven at stumps and putting the tourists under pressure to avoid the follow-on today.
On his home Test debut, Finn (4-75) began the Bangladesh slide with two wickets in eight balls from his favoured pavilion end in much-improved bowling conditions which put seam and swing movement back on the agenda. He produced a convincing reprise of the extra elements Steve Harmison used to bring to the England attack, thereby stating an obvious early case for inclusion in plans for Australia next winter.
"He's done brilliantly," said James Anderson (2-61). "I saw him in Bangladesh where he did very well, and he bowled well last night as well. He looks like a very solid bowler." Steepling bounce and a tight line at more than 80mph did for Junaid Siddique, who could add only five to his overnight 53 before Finn got one to run over the face of his bat for a caught behind. Mohammad Ashraful appeared a little unlucky to go lbw to a full ball which might have cleared leg stump, but there was no arguing with Anderson's first Test wicket of the summer. Anderson produced a near-perfect delivery shaping to swing up the hill to the watchful Jahurul Islam only to nip away off the seam and kick to take the outside edge for another Matt Prior catch.
In the 4.5 overs possible after tea, the lack of floodlights came into focus under darkening skies. Even though they were available for this series, the MCC and the England and Wales Cricket Board decided they should not be used in the event of bad light, which ended proceedings with Bangladesh needing 77 to avoid having to follow-on. * PA
