The Analyst says that batting depth and superior seam bowling should see the tourists claim another victory...
England’s thrilling win in Chittagong failed to disguise the deficiencies we knew that they had.
The consistent failure of the top four was once again masked by the excellence of the middle order, and the inaccuracy of the spinners was overcome by the skill and persistence of the seamers.
It is a familiar pattern over the last 18 months, and it is set to continue.
England will stay faithful with their top order for the second Test.
Alastair Cook will surely contribute this time after two failures in Chittagong, but Ben Duckett looks slightly fragile in such unfamiliar conditions.
Negotiating DRS – with the need to keep your legs out of the way in defence – has proved difficult for the 22-year-old.
The ball will turn in Dhaka, though not as prodigiously as it did in Chittagong.
Joe Root will hope for more protection from the new ball – harder to deal with in the hands of the spinners as the ball turns inconsistently – but it can’t be guaranteed.
And No.4 Gary Ballance has averaged just 22 since being recalled last summer. He looks vulnerable to the ball spinning into him.
It is once again possible that Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow will have to mount another rescue mission.
Stokes’ batting in the first Test was top class – his decisive footwork in defence the key to his match-changing 85.
Moeen has the wrists and flamboyance to prosper in these conditions, while Bairstow has just beaten Andy Flower’s record for the most Test runs by a keeper in a calendar year.
The likely inclusion of Zafar Ansari – who has a first-class average 31 – instead of his Surrey colleague Gareth Batty, may be of assistance.
England’s strongest aspect is their great depth in batting. This side should be capable of making at least 450 – a total that both teams passed the last time they met in Dhaka.
Stuart Broad is likely to have to wait to play his 100th Test.
The England seamers need to share the load over the next seven weeks, so Steven Finn – who is a superb exponent of reverse-swing – will get a run out, and possibly Jake Ball, too.
The question is, can England’s errant spinners exert better control than they did in Chittagong?
The chances are that they won’t – both Moeen and Adil Rashid concede 3.8 runs per over in Tests – but at least if they can continue to take wickets, it will keep the game moving forwards.
And England’s fast bowlers are potent with the old ball.
Despite Bangladesh’s considerable improvement, England’s batting depth and superior seam bowling should be enough to ensure a second hard-fought win.
It will serve as excellent preparation for the sterner task of tackling India next month.
