England Make Itinerary Change

The tourists were poised for a 13-day stay in Chittagong to incorporate the second Test, a one-day warm-up match and the first one-day international scheduled for November 7.

But after talks with South Africa following their recent tour to Bangladesh, England approached the Bangladesh Cricket Board and have cut down their stay in Chittagong and will now base themselves in the capital city for the majority of the tour.

Instead of flying to Chittagong straight after the opening Test on October 26, they will now travel a day later and return to Dhaka straight after the second Test on November 3 while the one-day warm-up match has also been switched back to the capital.

That will enable them to fly back to Chittagong the day before the one-day international and return to Dhaka the day after, allowing them to use the superior facilities on offer.

"We've talked to the South Africans and there are much better facilities all round in Dhaka for us," said Phil Neale, England's operations manager. "The flight to Chittagong is very short as well so travel is not really an issue.

"We are told the practice facilities are much better in Dhaka and the facilities around the hotel including the gym and the pool are as good as any hotel we've stayed in around the world."

England have also taken South Africa's advice about medical back-up and included doctor Mark Ridgeway as part of the touring party - a role which is normally fulfilled by the physio or local hospitals.

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