Tigers lose their bite

The pleasing thing is that on Friday, most of it came from the visitors, which at least suggests they are improving. They may still be the whipping boys of international cricket and 250 short of avoiding the follow-on in this match, but there are signs that this generation is improving.

The problem is that there are days when they do not compete and yesterday was one. From the moment the rain cleared after lunch, they struggled against some good pace bowling from Steven Finn and James Anderson.

Finn led the way on his home ground as England's seamers made up for lost time on a rain-shortened third day. England, who had managed only two Bangladesh wickets for 172 in reply to 505 in 53 overs on Friday, were frustrated by rain until 3.20pm. But the pace attack was much more on its mettle once able to get back on the pitch – reducing Bangladesh to 229 for six by tea and putting them under pressure to avoid the follow-on.

On his home Test debut, Finn (three for 72) was impressive and began the Bangladesh slide with two wickets in eight balls in conditions, overcast and damp, that were perfect for seam movement. But it was Andrew Strauss' decision to give him his favoured Pavilion End that mattered most. Finn plays for Middlesex, knows this ground and always operates from that end. On Friday he, as second-choice seamer, had to make do with the Nursery End and struggled for rhythm and accuracy. On his second spell, he switched and immediately made inroads and from his first ball yesterday he threatened with movement and bounce.

It is the bounce that most excites, as proved when Junaid Siddique tried desperately to withdraw his bat from a lifter. Steep bounce can disconcert the best, which makes Finn a potential matchwinner. Mohammad Ashraful was unlucky as one nipped back and would have missed the leg stump, but it does not detract from the fine bowling and his dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim was reminiscent of Glenn McGrath.

However, having just left the field for bad light and then been dragged back on by the umpires, Bangladesh can feel very aggrieved. It was a bizarre decision because the light had barely improved and the new ball was due. Anderson was a perfect foil, testing and teasing with a much better length than Friday when he banged the ball in short but after a few months break resting a troublesome knee, he looks as if he needs some overs to get back as England's premier seamer.

He did rediscover his much vaunted outswinger though, but the biggest improvement from Friday from both he and Tim Bresnan was the much fuller length they bowled. They swing the ball so should give it a chance to do so. Finn is 6ft 7ins and naturally bowls a shorter length. If they can pitch further up England have a trio of seamers posing different questions. It was certainly different cricket to Friday, when the dashing Tamim Iqbal flailed to all parts of the ground. He is a player to never take one's eyes off. Who knows what shot he is going to play each ball? Probably not even himself, but the fact is he a thrilling attacker.

Contrast his cameo half-century with Jonathan Trott's one-paced double century. Trott's innings was clinical, full of pleasant shots and well-constructed – everything a Test should innings should be – but it lacked dynamism. Even past 150, he continued in the steady, plodding manner.

Iqbal, in contrast, is a swashbuckler, cavalier, daring and with plenty of natural talent.

His task now is to work with coach Jamie Siddons to learn how to capitalise on good starts.

If he can do that then his more brittle middle-order will be protected and Banglasdeshi ambition will extend from making games go into the final day to actually drawing them and finally winning one of two. Without more bad weather, though, that looks unlikely this tour.