AFTER three tours of duty with England, James Tredwell finally got the chance to take centre-stage yesterday.

But he predicted the out-ofform Kevin Pietersen would soon be regaining the spotlight.

Tredwell travelled to New Zealand with the one-day squad in 2007/08 and was summoned to South Africa over the winter, failing to make an appearance on both occasions.

But, on the turning decks of Bangladesh, he was expected to play a bigger part and, having made his one-day international debut last week, he returned six for 95 on day one of the tourists’ three-day warmup against Bangladesh A.

Having chosen to bat first, Tredwell’s efforts meant the home side were all out for 202, with Roqibul Hasan scoring a defiant 107 not out.

The moment looked destined to be Tredwell’s alone until Pietersen – following scores of nought, six, one, 18 and 22 since arriving in Dhaka – fell for two.

Such is the level of interest in the 29-year-old, his failure is sure to occupy as much of the post-play debate as Tredwell’s haul.

But the Kent bowler expects his team-mate to draw attention for the right reasons before long.

‘‘Kevin is a top batsman, we know that, and I don’t think a couple of low scores should affect that,’’ he said after England reached stumps at 68 for three.

‘‘He made scores in the two Twenty20s in Dubai (Pietersen made 43 not out and 62 against Pakistan). He’s obviously hitting the ball well and we know he’ll keep working hard.

‘‘I’m sure a big score will be just around the corner.’’ The 28-year-old was understandably delighted with his own contribution yesterday, having been handed the slowbowling burden with number one spinner Graeme Swann rested.

‘‘I maintained a consistent line and length, got a few revolutions on the ball and found that bit of turn,” he said.

‘‘It’s nice to get out in the middle and show what I can do. Swanny is obviously going to play in the first Test because he’s done very well in the last 12 months and now hopefully I’ve just put myself out there for selection.’’ Tredwell relished the opportunity to bowl a long spell on a friendly surface, and said bearing the majority of the wicket-taking burden was not an entirely new experience.

‘‘Whenever you come across a wicket that turns, then it is your job to bowl the other team out.

‘‘That is going to be the case in these games. Bangladesh’s strength is spin bowling so they’ll want it to turn so we’ll see more turning pitches.”

Scoreboard

Bangladesh A v England At Chittagong

Bangladesh A First Innings

Siddique c Prior b Shahzad ...................16

Shamsur Rahman c Bell b Tredwell .....21

Mehrab Hossain jnr c Prior b Plunkett . 9

Raqibul Hasan not out ......................107

Mohammad Ashraful c Bell b Tredwell . 1

Chowdhury c Finn b Tredwell ................ 9

Saghir Hossain c Prior b Finn ...............12

Mahmud c Prior b Finn .......................... 0

Nur Hossain c Bell b Tredwell .............. 6

Rasel b Tredwell ............. 1

Islam c Pietersen b Tredwell .................. 4

Extras (b1 lb3 w6 nb6 pens 0) ....16

Total (70.3 overs).................202

Fall: 1-21 2-49 3-71 4-76 5-97 6-132 7- 132 8-158 9-176

Bowling: Bresnan 13-4-29-0. Shahzad 12-2- 26-1. Plunkett 11-3-35-1. Finn 7-2-13-2. Tredwell 27.3-8-95-6.

England First Innings Close

M A Carberry lbw b Mahmud ............... 5

A N Cook lbw b Islam ...........................19

I J Trott not out ...............32

K P Pietersen c Saghir Hossain b Mehrab Hossain jnr .............. 2

I R Bell not out ........... 2

Extras (lb2 nb6 pens 0) ............... 8

Total 3 wkts (17 overs)..............68

Fall: 1-7 2-60 3-64

To Bat: M J Prior, T T Bresnan, A Shahzad, J C Tredwell, L E Plunkett, S T Finn.

Bowling: Islam 7-1-27-1. Mahmud 5-0-23-1.

Nur Hossain 4-0-13-0. Mehrab Hossain jnr 1- 0-3-1.