England Beats Bangladesh

England clinched an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on the fifth day of the first test at Lord's on Monday.

Set a victory target of 160 after Bangladesh was dismissed for 382 in its second innings at the end of the morning session, England comfortably made it to 163-2, with captain Andrew Strauss hitting 82.

Bangladesh began the day on 328-5 _ with a lead of 105 _ but Steven Finn (5-87) and Tim Bresnan (3-93) combined to dismiss the tail. Junaid Siddique, who batted for more than four hours, impressed for the visitor with 74.

England lost Alastair Cook (23) and Strauss during the run chase but Jonathan Trott (36 not out) and Kevin Pietersen (10 not out) saw the team home.

England took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second test begins at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday.

Given the hostility generated by James Anderson during the last five overs on Sunday, it was perhaps surprising to see England hand the new ball to Finn and Bresnan as it looked to wrap up Bangladesh's second innings.

After just two overs, Bresnan was replaced by Anderson at the Nursery end but it took 40 minutes for England to make a breakthrough. Finn in particular was struggling to keep his footing at the Pavilion end, where he repeatedly fell over.

Yet with the first ball of the 10th over, Shakib Al Hasan (16) tried to cut a ball from the Middlesex paceman and was caught by Eoin Morgan at point.

In his next over, Finn bowled a slower ball to Siddique, who was easily caught in the covers by Bresnan.

Finn claimed his third wicket in 15 balls an over later, when Mushfiqur Rahim (0) was caught behind by Matt Prior.

Mahmudullah was on 14 when he was dropped at third slip by Bresnan after edging a delivery from Anderson.

Bresnan atoned by claiming the final two wickets of the innings. He had Rubel Hossain (4) caught at second slip by Strauss and ended the morning session with a chest-high delivery that Mahmudullah (19) nudged to Prior.

England made a quick start to the run chase, with Strauss hitting four fours from his first nine balls.

Strauss had a narrow escape on 28 when he edged a Mahmudullah delivery through Siddique's legs, but England's progress was temporarily slowed when Cook was out lbw for 23 to the same bowler, bringing Trott to the crease.

Strauss reached his 50 off 50 balls in the 20th over but was caught by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib three overs before tea was due to be taken.

Successive boundaries by Pietersen took England to the brink of victory and Trott sealed it with a four to square leg.