Trott stakes claim with century

(GETTY IMAGES)

Jonathan Trott inked his name into England's Test side with a measured century on day two of the pre-Test warm-up against Bangladesh A.

Trott's commanding knock of 101 before retiring all but assured him a role in Friday's series opener, while Matt Prior made a fine unbeaten 73 of his own as the tourists converted their overnight 68 for three into 281 for seven declared.

With an hour left before stumps the home side were 67 for two, 12 runs behind, after James Tredwell took his seventh and eighth wickets of the match.

The match's first-class status was ended when the injured Syed Rasel was replaced by Mahbubul Alam at the start of play, while England opted to give reserve wicketkeeper Steven Davies a chance behind the stumps in the second innings.

Dollar Mahmud bowled the first over of the morning and Ian Bell was confident enough to take on the short ball, pulling him for four.

Trott also scored an early boundary, clipping Robiul Islam to the ropes at third man in the second over.

Trott survived a loud lbw shout on 42 and, having kept it relatively tight for much of his opening spell, Robiul shipped three fours in the 28th over as England moved into three figures.

Two of those went to Trott, with the second - a neat flick to fine leg - bringing up a 76-ball half-century.

Kevin Pietersen will have been none too pleased to see the arrival of Mehrab Hossain, the left-arm spinner who needed just a ball to remove him yesterday, dealt with comfortably on his introduction.

England's 150 came up in the 35th over but there were just nine more runs added before Bell was trapped lbw by Mehrab to give him a second success.

Trott milked some average bowling before the interval and hurried to his century after lunch in 134 balls.

He promptly retired out, allowing Tim Bresnan to enjoy some time in the middle.

The Yorkshireman looked nervy against spin first up, but Prior was hitting his stride and smashed Dollar for fours on both sides of the wicket in the space of four deliveries.

Bresnan's nine-run stay was soon over when he steered a wide one from Mahbubul to Raqibul at gully.

Prior coasted to his half-century - and took England past 250 - before losing another partner, James Tredwell next to go for a duck.

Prior had a spot of luck off Mohammad Ashraful when a meaty lofted drive was spilled over the ropes for six and responded with a crunching four down the ground moments later.

Alastair Cook then closed the innings with Prior and Liam Plunkett (eight not out) at the crease.

Cook utilised all four seamers in the first 11 overs of Bangladesh A's second innings, but it was the arrival of Tredwell that made things happen.

Shamsur Rahman was to go, snicking to Davies having hit four fours in his 23.

Mehrab soon followed him back to the pavilion, making just four before feeding Cook a regulation slip catch to hand Tredwell his eighth wicket of the match.