Broad back in running to start against Bangladesh

Broad has been struggling with spasms after injuring his back during the one-day international series.

He was unable to play any part in the three-day warm-up against Bangladesh A but resumed net bowling midway through that match.

He bowled a total of 10 overs during England's practice session in Chittagong yesterday without feeling any discomfort and will be reassessed this morning before any decision is made on his availability.

The tourists are already without fellow seamer Graham Onions, who is out of the series opener with a back injury of his own.

It leaves open the prospect of Yorkshire pace duo Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad leading the attack tomorrow.

Ian Bell may have played a leading role in England's winter tour to South Africa but the batsman still believes he has to prove himself worthy of a place in the starting XI.

Bell spent a period out of the Test side before coming back for the tail-end of the Ashes and went on to impress on one of the most difficult tours on the cricketing calendar.

He compiled 140 in a match-winning cause against the Proteas in Durban before batting for nearly six hours for 78 to help secure a draw in the third Test at Newlands.

But having lost his place in the side before, he is refusing to take his spot for granted.

"I'm still working my way back and trying to cement myself in the team," said Bell.

"I don't feel by any means like I have a guaranteed place so I'll be working very hard to get one.

"There is a lot of competition for places and it also depends on the type of side we go in with, whether it's five or six batters.

"There is real competition for those places so I'll be working as hard as I can to make sure I do well again."