DHAKA, 23 October 2003 — Steve Harmison’s first five-wicket haul and an unbeaten half-century by Marcus Trescothick put England in command on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh yesterday.

England reached 111 without loss at the close in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 203.

Trescothick hit 13 fours and a six in a fluent unbeaten 77 with his opening partner Michael Vaughan on 30 not out after surviving three loud lbw appeals.

Earlier, fast bowler Harmison recorded figures of five for 35, his best for England, as he wrapped up the Bangladesh first innings by bowling Mohammad Rafique for 32 and Mashrafe Mortaza for 11.

Fellow seamer Matthew Hoggard picked up three wickets, including two in two overs when he trapped Mushfiqur Rahman (34) and captain Khaled Mahmud (four) lbw with low, swinging deliveries.

Bangladesh had fought back before tea with a maiden Test fifty from former captain Khaled Mashud before he fell lbw for 51, a first Test scalp for debutant all-rounder Rikki Clarke. Rafique also bludgeoned three sixes off spinners Gareth Batty and Ashley Giles in his 32.

England squandered chances to wrap up the innings quicker with captain Vaughan at mid-off and Trescothick at slip dropping difficult catches. In the morning session, Hoggard, Harmison and debutant Batty took a wicket each to leave Bangladesh reeling at 72 for five.

ICC Reject Akhtar’s

Appeal Against Ban

In London, Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has lost his appeal against a three-match ban, imposed for using offensive language while playing against South Africa last week, the International Cricket Council said yesterday.

The ban was imposed by match referee Clive Lloyd following an incident involving Akhtar and South Africa bowler Paul Adams on the first day of the first Test last Friday, when Akhtar was found guilty of using bad language. “It seems to me that Mr Lloyd correctly followed the Code of Conduct rules in every way after Akhtar accepted, and said, he was guilty,” said ICC Code of Conduct Commissioner Richie Benaud in a statement.