Graeme Swann believes England are in a “magnificent position” to clinch the first Test against Bangladesh, but warned the hosts will be no pushovers over the final two days of the game.

England remain well placed to record a convincing victory over Bangladesh despite not having everything their own way on the third day. The tourists lead by 434 with five second-innings intact.

Paul Collingwood believes he is living proof that batting relies on substance over style after cracking a long-awaited 10th Test century to ram home England’s advantage in the Chittagong Test.

Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell and Graeme Swann played starring roles as England moved into an impregnable position in Chittagong. Bangladesh closed day two on 154 for five, trailing by 445.

Kevin Pietersen believes he has finally ironed out the technical flaws that plagued his preparations for the first Test against Bangladesh. He returned to near his best form, but fell one short of a century.

Alastair Cook hit a superb unbeaten 158 and Kevin Pietersen a fluent 99 to help England establish an utterly dominant position in the opening Test of the series. They closed day one on 374 for three.

Andrew Strauss and Charlotte Edwards will be swapping their cricket whites for paintbrushes and overalls when they launch this year’s NatWest CricketForce at Harrow St Mary’s CC on March 26.

England captain Alastair Cook has seen one of his first-choice seamers ruled out of the Bangladesh series in Graham Onions, but is hopeful Stuart Broad is fit to lead the attack in the first Test.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons believes Raqibul Hasan is “a confused kid” whose shock retirement on the eve of the first Test against England in Chittagong was a “rash, emotional decision”.