Swann stays wary despite England being in 'box seat'

GRAEME Swann believes England are in a "magnificent position" to clinch the first Test against Bangladesh, but warned the hosts will be no pushovers over the final two days.

Swann took five wickets in an innings for the fifth time in Test cricket as England bowled the Tigers out for 296 – 303 shy of the tourists' 599 for six declared.

Alastair Cook opted to rest his seamers rather than enforce the follow-on and although Bangladesh had the best of the final session as England slipped to 131 for five, a lead of 434 with wickets in hand should still be ample.

"We're over 430 ahead after three days and you can't argue with that, we're in a magnificent position," he said.

"Yes, we lost a couple of wickets at the end, which isn't ideal, but with two days to play I think we're in the box seat."

Although Swann has his side down as firm favourites he was impressed enough by the battling knocks of Tamim Iqbal (86) and Mushfiqur Rahim (79) to sound a note of caution.

"Bangladesh batted very well for an hour before lunch and an hour after lunch and that showed we are going to have our work cut out to take the last 10 wickets," said the 30-year-old.

The tourists started the day perfectly, with Tamim adding just five to his overnight 81 before losing his off-stump to a beauty from Bresnan.

Mushfiqur wafted lazily at his first delivery but was soon looking assured at the crease and began to find the gaps in the England field. Night-watchman Shahadat Hossain was erroneously given out by umpire Rod Tucker before the decision was quickly overturned, though he did not take advantage. Instead he nicked to slip to give debutant Steven Finn a first Test wicket.

Naeem Islam joined Mushfiqur in the middle and the duo only looked troubled when Finn returned to the attack.

A needless run out broke the deadlock, Naeem (38) the victim of miscommunication in the middle and smart work from Michael Carberry in the field. Swann then took two wickets in the next three balls as the fightback dissolved in the blink of an eye.

England's opening pair played a steady hand for the first hour of the innings, and the stand was worth 65 when Cook slog-swept Mahmudullah to Aftab Ahmed at deep mid-wicket.

Debutant Carberry was struggling for fluency and Jonathan Trott eked just 14 before falling to Shakib. Kevin Pietersen arrived and duly pushed the lead beyond 400 but once again fell to left-arm spin, Shakib winning an lbw.

Abdur Razzak sent Carberry on his way for a 34 to make it 130 for four and then tempted Paul Collingwood (three) into a tame chip to mid-off.