Omar kickstarts England tour

Fenners: British Universities v Bangladesh (Day One)

Amid the media frenzy surrounding The Ashes series this summer, it was a little known fact that today Bangladesh arrived for the first time on English soil to play a test series, and through Javed Omar and Mohammed Ashraful, can reflect on a good first day at the office.

After a delayed start due to rain, South African Matt Friedlander and Glen Read took the only wickets to fall in the days play, and after being nervously placed on 99/3, it was left to Javed Omar and Ashraful to steer Bangladesh to stumps, well poised at 238/3. Despite losing their captain and strongest batsman, Habibul Bashar for 8, the day gave two of their leading batsmen a chance to adapt to English conditions.

Perhaps the only real interest from an England point of view in this tour game will be the bowling of Monty Panesar, the talented Northants spinner who will have to wait until days two and three for more of a bowl on this pace friendly Fenners pitch.

Bangladesh 238/3 (Javed Omar 111*, Mohammed Ashraful 87, MJ Friendlander 2/37)