Finn leads England to tricky victory

Steve Finn's nine wickets on his home debut and Jonathan Trott's first-innings double-century underpinned a success which came despite the rusty efforts of several others, apparently finding it tough to re-attune themselves to the demands of five-day cricket.

In the end, all was right with the world for England supporters as returning captain Andrew Strauss (82) and Trott helped their team canter home with a second-wicket stand of 80 in front of a crowd approaching 10,000.

On a day when MCC broke with recent tradition by allowing spectators to roam the outfield during lunch for the first time in more than 35 years, brighter skies – absent while Bangladesh lost their last five wickets in the morning – appeared on cue to help England hasten past the 160 they needed.

If there was a significant crowd caveat – hundreds missed much of the first session in queues reported to be half-a-mile long as turnstile arrangements failed to cope – there were a few more when it came to England's below-par performance.

Only four of the team were involved in this month's glorious ICC World Twenty campaign, yet it seemed they were not the only ones who failed to bring their A game to the Test arena.

James Anderson, by his own admission, and Tim Bresnan, by common consent, were short of their best in a four-man attack; England's cricketer-of-the-year Graeme Swann failed to take a wicket for the first time since Headingley in last year's Ashes – and as Trott dominated the first-innings 505, only Strauss also managed to post a half-century.

Bangladesh by contrast deserved honourable mention, not just for second-innings centurion Tamim Iqbal's breath-taking strokeplay and Shahadat Hossain's five-wicket haul first time round but for the support generally forthcoming through the ranks.

The cruel statistic remains nonetheless that they have still won just three of 67 Tests, and avoided defeat in only six others.

But either their progress is beginning to take hold, or England have been even more off-colour than was evident. Finn struck three quick blows on the final morning – but still England's victory push was held up by Bangladeshi determination.

Up the pecking order on his home ground and given his favourite pavilion end, the

6ft 7ins seamer took three wickets in 15 balls to put his name on the honours board and earn match figures of 9-187.

Yet Bangladesh – having followed on before lunch on Sunday – still managed to turn a start-of-play 328-5 into a lunchtime 382 all out, leaving England 73 overs to knock off the arrears.

Sixth-wicket pair Junaid Siddique (74) and Shakib Al Hasan safely negotiated 40 minutes against a second new ball, under heavy cloud cover.

Finn could claim no great credit either for the ball that made the first breakthrough, Shakib cutting a long-hop fiercely but straight to Eoin Morgan in the gully.

Junaid's departure came from a slightly more deserving delivery yet was probably again more of a reward for Finn's previous efforts, the left-hander checking a drive on the up for an easy catch at short extra-cover.

There was no argument with Finn's third success, Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind when he edged a very good ball which bounced and left him from a perfect line.

But England were still not quite through Bangladesh.

Mahmudullah remained as a near frontline batsman, and Rubel Hossain at No 10.

Finn needed a rest after a spell of eight overs, and it did not help when Bresnan failed to hold a stinging chance above his head at third slip when Mahmudullah flashed at Anderson.

Bresnan (3-93) made up for that slip, though, by having Rubel edging low to first slip and then finishing off the innings on the stroke of lunch when Mahmudullah aimed a slog but could only edge behind.

The sun broke through after lunch to greet what proved a near valedictory second innings for the hosts, Strauss set up for a rush of early boundaries by poor length and direction from Shahadat and Robiul Islam.

Strauss edged through Junaid's fingers off Mahmudullah on 28, as the spinners came on to slow the inevitable.

But despite Alastair Cook's departure lbw pushing forward to Mahmudullah and Strauss caught behind cutting at Shakib, England coasted home to victory on the stroke of tea.

ENGLAND MUST IMPROVE ADMITS RETURNING CAPTAIN STRAUSS

Andrew Strauss admits England must strive for higher standards, despite eventually scoring an emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Lord's.

Strauss, back in harness as Test captain after sitting out the 2-0 series win in Bangladesh two months ago, contributed significantly himself with the bat to an eight-wicket success in which Jonathan Trott's double-hundred and man-of-the-match Steve Finn's nine wickets made up for others' rustiness.

"The fact is we won by eight wickets – but we had to work hard for it and have to give credit to the Bangladesh batsmen in both innings," he said.

"They held us up with some stubborn resistance and good strokeplay," he added, reasoning too that his team are bound to improve after this first Test of the summer.

"We will be better for this game and the five days of cricket we had – but we are looking to set our standards higher.

"There wasn't a lot there for our bowlers, but the consistent lines and lengths Steven hit were encouraging," said the captain.

"He has got attributes, height and bounce – and it is great early in your career to show you belong at this venue, which he has done.

"The bowlers stuck at it very well. At times we had to change plans and dig it in short.

"Also, Graeme Swann didn't have a huge role to play, because there was no turn at all. On most pitches, he's going to be more threatening."