Bangladesh desperate to put on a better show
When Bangladesh arrived at Lord's this morning they could console themselves with the thought that the second day could not be much worse than the first.
Outclassed and overwhelmed by an England team that have still not shaken off the collective rust of early season, the tourists desperately needed to put on a better show not just for themselves but for the sanctity of Test cricket and for the sake of the 17,500 spectators who have bought tickets for tomorrow's play.
It was not beyond the bounds of possibility that England could rack up 500 by tea and then bowl Bangladesh out in a session to complete a two-day win.
It took the home side only 38.2 overs to bowl out the visitors yesterday - in favourable conditions admittedly - and that was after Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard had sent down dross for the first 10 overs.
If England's new-ball pair quickly locate their radars, Bangladesh's talented but troubled batsmen, who find crease occupation a chore, could fold like a pack of cards. The International Cricket Council members may not be roused into any type of action but they will certainly be squirming uncomfortably in their seats.
The biggest glimmer of hope for the tourists was their bowling spearhead Mashrafe Mortaza, who is building on the favourable impression that he made during the 2003-04 England tour of Bangladesh.
His fast-medium swingers (15-5-40-1) kept England quiet just when they threatened to create mayhem and he was unlucky not to add to his scalp of Andrew Strauss, who was plumb leg before to an excellent leg-cutter.
