Bresnan stakes his Test claims as England scent final-day win

He also expressed confidence that England would extend their 100 per cent record against Bangladesh as the second Test went into its final day in the early hours of this morning.

The Tigers, a side with 57 defeats from 66 Tests, pushed their opponents closer than ever before over the first two-and-a-half days at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium but have had to endure a solid fightback from the tourists.

Aided admittedly by some helpful umpiring decisions and the lack of a referral system, England managed a 77-run first-innings lead on the back of Ian Bell's 138 and Bresnan's 91.

The bowlers then worked hard despite some poor catching to leave the hosts 172-6 at stumps on day four, a modest lead of 95 with the tail exposed.

Although England have struggled to roll over the Bangladesh tail in this series, Bresnan was in no doubt about who the favourites were.

"I think it's four quick wickets (today), then we chase 150 and win. That's how I see it," Bresnan confidently predicted.

"Of course, we'll see how it goes but that's how we've set it up. We will be chasing a total (today), I have a feeling about that, especially after getting the key wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim at the end.

"We've got a nightwatchman (Shafiul Islam) in and then Naeem Islam, who'll hang in a bit. If we can get them out, I think we are definitely sniffing a win."

When the winter squads were announced, Bresnan was included exclusively in England's limited-overs set-up but, since being asked to stay on as injury cover, he has leapfrogged the likes of county colleague Ajmal Shahzad and Liam Plunkett in the pecking order.

The burly Yorkshireman has impressed with his stamina and ability to reverse swing the old ball, while his contribution with the bat in only his second Test innings will not have gone unnoticed.

Bresnan has also displayed a cool head in trying conditions – something Stuart Broad may one day wish to replicate after his conduct while bowling drew him into conversation with the umpire for the second match in a row yesterday following a rejected lbw appeal.

Reflecting on his future role in the side, Bresnan was clear in his aim to lock down a long-term spot in the Test XI.

"Coming in here has been a big opportunity for me," he said.

"I feel like I've grabbed it and shown exactly what I can do so, hopefully, there'll be a lot more chances for me to prove myself.

"I'd like to think I've pushed my case as a Test cricketer. I don't agree with being pigeonholed as just a one-day player so I hope the powers that be have sat up and taken notice.

"It would have been nice to get a hundred in my second Test innings but, hopefully, I'll get a lot more opportunities to do that."

England started the fourth day by extending their first-innings lead to 77.

Bresnan resumed on 74 in his second Test innings and, no doubt eyeing his century, blocked as many balls as he played, but debutant James Tredwell showed a willingness to get after the bad ball and helped himself to a handful of early boundaries.

Bresnan nudged his way to 91 but then skipped down the track to Abdur Razzak and was stumped off one that bounced and turned.

Bangladesh batsman Jahurul Islam later bounced back from his first innings duck on debut to make 43, with his first two scoring shots in Test cricket both sixes.

Jahurul was one of two wickets to fall in the last seven overs before the close and while he admits that handed the initiative to England, he felt a match-saving rearguard was still possible.

"The last two wickets were too much for us. If we could have ended the day with four wickets down that would have been good," he said.

"But you can always hope in cricket. We should not look for runs and instead we should concentrate on surviving the first two sessions."