Fringe bowlers get chance to stake a claim in Bangladesh

THE TOUR to Bangladesh in 2003 is where Michael Vaughan stamped his authority on the playing group with relentless fitness sessions in the gym, a code of conduct was agreed and the players learned exactly what was expected of them under his and Duncan Fletcher's management. It was the start of a glorious two years which culminated in the 2005 Ashes victory. This time the formula has been pretty similar. The bikes in the gym have done enough miles to enter the Tour de France, punch bags and w

The difference is that this time the captain, Andrew Strauss, is absent, resting up for ten months while his deputy, Alastair Cook, wears the stripes. Not that it has mattered thus far. Strauss is an all-embracing captain and all players get a say in meetings while Andy Flower, the head coach, is determined that the players should learn to think for themselves and take responsibility.

And so far in the one-day series it has mostly gone to plan. The new boy, Craig Kieswetter, scored a century in the final match, Cook solidified his leadership with some good innings at the top of the order and the general standard of play was good and refreshingly clinical.

The only issue is the number of injuries the squad is suffering. Ryan Sidebottom is a non-starter as a thigh injury in the first one-day international was serious enough to send him home and Graham Onions and Stuart Broad are doubts, both with bad backs. The latest scans the pair have had have shown no serious damage but a seamer on the slow, dusty pitches in Chittagong and Dhaka will want full confidence in his body before starting. They can be long, humid, exhausting days and niggles to something as important as a back for a bowler is very worrying.

Tim Bresnan has stayed with the party in place of Sidebottom and uncapped Steven Finn has been called up as cover. The options for Flower and Cook are starting to look a little threadbare, or, to be more generous, experimental. Liam Plunkett is the most senior uninjured bowler and has played only nine Test matches, the last in 2007. Indeed, if Broad does not make it, not one seamer from the final Test in South Africa will play in this match.

The batting is much more solid. Cook will open with the debutant Michael Carberry and then it is the usual suspects of Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell. There is a reassuring solidity about the top six on paper. Carberry is an excellent replacement for Strauss. A strong left hander, he hits the ball hard, plays well down the ground and is an excellent puller. What may challenge him more is the many overs of spin Bangladesh are likely to bowl. The other slight concern is Pietersen. His form this winter has been shocking. Returning from injury can be difficult as players have to learn to trust their bodies again but Pietersen , despite all the protestations from teammates that he is still their best player, looks nothing as commanding at the crease as he used to.

The front pad is still being thrust forward with intent but his timing is off and again on Friday he was LBW to a left-arm spinner. This mode of dismissal is starting to be a habit. It started with Yuvraj Singh goading him last winter in India and it has clearly worked into Pietersen's mind. His technique does not help caution against spin. The front pad plants and his bat moves along it like on a curtain rail. If he misjudges line or the ball turns he can be caught or LBW.

What should encourage England is the quality of the opposition. Again on Friday, Bangladesh batters demonstrated why they struggle to win games or make big scores. Several batsmen got in and yet none managed a half-century. There was recklessness and thoughtlessness to some of their dismissals.

They still struggle against the steep bounce of a tall seamer, which may give Finn some sway in selection if injuries do not improve, and they lack composure when given few easy runs and attempt too many big shots. Instead of playing aggressively but controlled they just look wild.

The fact is England, depleted or not, should win both matches. There may be the odd scare but for some new boys it is a chance to impress. Bangladesh have played 31 home Test matches and have lost 26 of them. Their solitary victory was against Zimbabwe so that barely counts.

Wins are expected but what may be more important for Flower is discovering more seam bowlers who can play Test cricket. There is too much played presently as national boards fill their coffers with little regard for the welfare of the players. The rotation system that has left Strauss at home is more important for the seam bowlers. If Flower can get a group of eight from which he can pick four in form and without injury for each Test then England will be in a strong position. So for Bresnan, Finn, Ajmal Shahzad and Plunkett the next two Test matches are vital. Perform in the heat and dust of Bangladesh and Flower will have their names permanently on his mind.