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England were poised to gain a huge first-innings lead after grabbing two early wickets on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Resuming at 154-5, the hosts reached 239-7 in their first innings at lunch in reply to the tourists' 599-6 declared.

Wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on a defiant 51 not out at the break with Naeem Islam (12 not out).

England struck in the morning's third over when seamer Tim Bresnan bowled Tamim Iqbal (86), who could add just five runs to his overnight score. The Bangladeshi opener hit one six and 14 fours in his 124-ball knock.

Debutant paceman Steven Finn bagged his maiden Test wicket when he had nightwatchman Shahadat Hossain (14) caught by Paul Collingwood at second slip to reduce the hosts to 183-7.

Rahim and Naeem then denied England further success with a 56-run stand for the undefeated eighth wicket.

Rahim was more aggressive than his partner, once cutting off-spinner Graeme Swann for a four and then lofting the next delivery for another boundary. In the next over, he drove paceman Stuart Broad through the covers for a four.

He reached his fifth Test half-century just before lunch, sweeping Swann to the boundary. He has so far hit 10 boundaries in his 91-ball knock.

AFP