Clarke the Hero Again as England Charge

Dismissed for a disappointing 326, the tourists reduced Bangladesh to 63 for four in reply on the second day.

Somerset seamer Richard Johnson, recalled to the line-up following Steve Harmison's withdrawal, gave England a flying start by marking his return to claim a wicket with his seventh ball.

Johnson struck in his second over to remove opener Javed Omar, who gave a leading edge to captain Michael Vaughan at mid-off as he attempted to play through mid-wicket.

That early success was followed by Matthew Hoggard inducing Habibul Bashar into edging to Mark Butcher at wide third slip, who claimed a smart catch at chest height.

But it took Clarke, who had earlier added only two runs to his overnight 53, to strengthen England's advantage by breaking a stubborn third-wicket stand and ending opener Hannan Sarkar's 101 minutes of defiance at the crease.

Sarkar had battled his way to an encouraging 28 but paid the penalty for continually shifting across his stumps and Clarke won a leg before appeal and then induced new batsman Alok Kapali into steering straight to gully with his next ball.

He missed out on a potential hat-trick when Mushfirqur Rahman shouldered arms.

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