Ian Bell took his average against Bangladesh to nearly 200 as he finished 87 not out on the first day of the second and final Test at Old Trafford here on Friday.
England, when bad light and rain forced an early close, were 275/5 after winning the toss.
Matthew Prior was 21 not out, having so far helped Bell add 52/6.
Several England batsmen, including Kevin Pietersen with 64, made starts on a good pitch after captain Andrew Strauss called correctly. But only Bell, who made an unbeaten 162 against Bangladesh — who’ve won just three of their previous 67 Tests — at Chester-le-Street five years ago, cashed in.
His average against the Tigers stood at 197.33 at stumps but against India and Australia it is only in the mid 20s.
Earlier, recalled fast bowler Shafiul Islam rocked England with two wickets for four runs in seven balls to dismiss Strauss and Jonathan Trott. England were 215/4 at tea.
Bell was 52 not out and left-hander Eoin Morgan 33 not out. But a stand worth 70 was broken when Morgan, now on 37, was brilliantly caught by a diving Jahurul Islam in the gully off a flashing square cut against pace bowler Shahadat Hossain to leave England 223/5.
— AFP
Scores: 275/5 (Pietersen 64, Bell batting 87, Morgan 37; Shafiul 2/37) vs Bangladesh