By Simon Mann BBC Sport in Chittagong

England are in strong enough position after the opening day of the second Test but they do make it hard for themselves.

The tourists tested everyone's patience on a curious first day.

Careless batting after lunch cost them four wickets in five overs then Rikki Clarke and Nasser Hussain batted in slow motion in the final session.

This partnership will probably have a decisive impact on the outcome of the match but close of play was a relief

At the same time, Bangladesh's problems at this level were plain again for all to see.

They were impotent with the new ball and failed to capitalise on England's collapse.

The decision to put England into bat had some merit. Michael Vaughan would have done the same if he had won the toss.

The difference is that Vaughan has a seam attack at his disposal capable of exploiting the pitch conditions.

Only Mushrafe Mortaza posed some problems with the new ball.

Mortaza was the only pace bowler to pose any threat

Marcus Trescothick survived two shouts for leg before, the second of which might have provoked the cautious Asoka de Silva into action.

Vaughan was the more assured, seamlessly carrying on from his superb 81 not out on the final day in Dhaka.

He appeared to be following Sir Len Hutton's advice that the best way to play fast bowling is from the other end.

The batsmen did not change ends for 12 overs at which point the flagging Mortaza was taken off.

The tourists looked set for a huge total, but it would not be a Test match without an England collapse.

Geoff Boycott's dictum that the true state of a game can only be assessed correctly by adding on two wickets to the current score does not work for England's current era.

Trescothick, bored with steady accumulation, took 18 off an over from Enamul Haque Jr and then disdainfully tried to thump Khaled Mahmud over extra over.

Five overs later England were four down and the inexperienced lower order was exposed.

Clarke fully deserved his maiden Test half-century

Clarke, though, was equal to the potential crisis.

He was passive in his first Test innings and was mindful to be more positive this time.

It worked before tea and for his discipline and perseverance later he deserved his first Test half-century.

Hussain batted like a man out of form, content to survive with scarcely a nod towards entertainment.

Their partnership will probably have a decisive impact on the outcome of the match but close of play was a relief to everyone.

Although England favoured bowling first, Vaughan's failure to win the toss should work in favour of the new boys, Martin Saggers and Richard Johnson.

They have only bowled 32 overs between them on the tour and will be under less pressure defending a sizeable total than having to justify a captain's decision on the first day.

Clarke and Hussain ensured they will have plenty to work with.