Bell confident of victory

Century-maker Ian Bell is confident England can complete a series whitewash over Bangladesh despite another turgid day's cricket in Mirpur.

The Warwickshire star notched his 10th Test hundred as the tourists finished day three of the second Test on 440-8, only 21 runs ahead of the Tigers' first-innings total.

Bell faced 264 balls for his patient 138, while Tim Bresnan reached stumps on 74 not out - his maiden Test half-century.

England will attempt to replicate Bangladesh's tail-end resistance when play resumes on day four, and Bell believes a win is still possible despite only two days remaining.

Capable

"We're obviously going to play to (win)," he told Sky Sports. "It's a fantastic wicket but hopefully we can get bid of a lead and come out and go in hard. Generally things speed up a bit in the final two days."

"It was nice to get a hundred. We had to bat the day out and get in a position to push on and try and win the game.

"With the heat in that second session, it was hard work. It was a part we really had to get through."

Bell also paid tribute to Yorkshire all-rounder Bresnan, with whom he put on a stand worth 143 for the sixth wicket.

He added: "He's bowled really well and he deserves a lot more wickets, he's gone past the bat so many times.

"And now he's shown he's capable of batting and playing against spin bowling in these type of conditions so it's been a good tour for him.

"The competition within the England squad is getting better and better."

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons accused the umpires of not giving his side a fair rub of the green at the end of play on day three.

Replays indicated Bangladesh were unlucky with a number of decisions as England crawled to a slender lead.

Matt Prior, who went on to make 62, was lucky not to have been given out lbw early in his innings, while Bresnan somehow surviveed a strong bat-pad appeal.

Siddons told Sky Sports: "We're still in the game so I'm happy, it's still pretty even. They've got to bat last but hopefully we don't let them put on too many runs for the last two wickets.

"There were probably three or four decisions I was unhappy with. Hindsight makes it easy for me to be critical but that's the game and umpires do make mistakes, but it made it hard for us today."

Positive

Asked whether he agreed that smaller teams struggle to get umpiring decisions, Siddons continued: "I've felt that my whole career.

"I definitely never felt Australia were on the wrong end but, with Bangladesh, I definitely think it comes out against us. I don't know why.

"The spirit was down this afternoon but they fought back and they seem pretty positive about what they can do in the next two days.

"I certainly put a rocket up Shakib Al Hasan to let him know the batsmen weren't just going to walk off the park. He felt he was the one that would take the wickets and he bowled beautifully all day."

Siddons insisted Bangladesh would go for the victory rather than playing for a draw against a side they have never beaten in international cricket.

He added: "If they don't get too many runs then Tamim (Iqbal) is probably the key. We play one way, to hit shots. Our spin bowlers would love to have a crack.

"We'll either be all out or have a declaration at some point."