Tredwell spins his way into contention for first Test

JAMES Tredwell may have bowled himself into the first Test after taking six wickets on day one of England's three-day match against Bangladesh A, but Kevin Pietersen's form continues to be a problem for the tourists.

England rolled the hosts over for 202 – with Roqibul Hasan 107no – after being asked to field as Kent spinner Tredwell returned six for 95 in nearly 28 overs.

But the gloss was taken off the day when the hosts reduced England to 68 for three by stumps, with Pietersen making just two to continue his dire form on tour.

Ajmal Shahzad was given the new ball and took the first wicket of the day in the eighth over when Junaed Siddique was caught at the wicket for 16 of the first 21 runs.

Shamsur Rahman (21) was second man out, snared by Ian Bell at short leg. Roqibul showed confidence early on, striking Tredwell for a big six down the ground, but Plunkett returned to end Mehrab Hossain's dour knock of nine for a score of 71 for three at lunch.

Home captain Mohammad Ashraful, hoping for a big score to secure his Test berth for Friday's series opener, mustered only one before feeding Bell a second catch off Tredwell. Roqibul continued to look comfortable against Tredwell, off whom he took many of his 15 boundaries and three sixes.

But Tredwell soon had a third wicket when Shuvogoto Chowdhury (nine) aimed a lofted drive down the ground. Unluckily for him the 6ft 7in figure of Steven Finn was stationed there and he reached up well to take the catch. By now the tourists had their opponents teetering on 97 for five.

Shahagir Hossain helped his side past three figures, with successive fours off Tredwell along the way, but was removed for 12 when Finn coaxed an edge to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

The same combination accounted for Dollar Mahmud (nought) five balls later. Meanwhile Roqibul, who had reached 50 in 84 balls, eased past three figures for a well-earned century.

Tredwell, who contributed a stint of 27.3 overs in the sun, accounted for Nur Hossain (six) and Syed Rasel (one) after tea to complete his five-wicket haul, before last man Robiul Islam holed out.

"Obviously you want to come into these games and bowl well and hopefully I did that," Tredwell said. "I maintained a consistent line and length, got a few revolutions on the ball and found that bit of turn.

"This is my third tour and this is my first game (in the longer format]. So it's nice to get out in the middle and show what I can do.

"Swanny is obviously going to play in the first Test because he's done very well in the last 12 months and now hopefully I've just put myself out there for selection."

Opener Michael Carberry was floored by a nasty blow to the box in the second over and was gone not long after, lbw to Dollar.

Jonathan Trott came to the crease and immediately looked assured,

stroking 16 of his first 20 runs in boundaries to help England past 50 inside 10 overs.

Cook was also starting to find his feet before falling leg before to Robiul for 19. Pietersen

lasted just five balls before Mehrab Hossain had him caught at the wicket for two.

"Kevin is a top batsman, we know that, and I don't think a couple of low scores should affect that," said Tredwell. "I'm sure a big score will be just around the corner."