BOLTONIAN youngster Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett both furthered their chances of playing in England's first Test against Bangladesh later this week on the last day of the final practice match in Chittagong.

Duckett, who turned 22 yesterday, made a watchful start but accelerated to his fourth half-century from his last five innings before retiring on 60 during the lunch interval, allowing his team-mates an opportunity for some time at the crease.

Fellow opener Hameed was more cautious but he brought up his fifty shortly before tea and ended the second session on 57 not out as England reached 178 for three against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, who were all out for 294 on day one.

The fixture is destined to end in a draw but England may have a clearer idea of who will line up against the Tigers at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Thursday.

Duckett and former Farnworth Social Circle batsman Hameed were originally thought to be in a shootout to become Alastair Cook's latest opening partner, with the England captain confirmed to be arriving back in Bangladesh following the birth of his second child.

But Duckett could slot into the middle order and he certainly boosted his chances, accumulating steadily at the start before cutting loose towards the end of the morning session.

Having made 25 from his first 70 balls, he needed just another 21 to bring up his latest fifty, going past the mark with a cut through point for his eighth four.

The left-hander had also made a half-century in England's opening practice match as well as another couple in the preceding one-day series.

Ex-Bolton School teenager Hameed was struck on the helmet and hand early on by Taskin Ahmed and although he he had a comparable strike rate for much of the session, the Lancashire teenager remained vigilant as Duckett started to become more attack-minded.

Duckett took two fours in three balls off Ebadat Hossain in the penultimate over to end the session on a high but he did not emerge after lunch as stand-in captain Joe Root partnered Hameed.

Root was punchy from the off but on 24, he was caught behind attempting to sweep leg-spinner Tanveer Haider to give the BCB XI their first genuine wicket.

In the next over Hameed upped his tempo with three straight fours - a straight drive, late cut and pull emphasised the array of shots in his armoury - although Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler did not last long.

Bairstow made six before thumping straight to short cover while Buttler may have seen his chance of playing as a specialist batsman go by after slicing to point on four, giving Tanveer his third wicket.

Hameed reached his half-century with a flick through midwicket for four off his 114th ball.

mfl