England resist experimentation

Vaughan (right) and England coach Duncan Fletcher

England are set to play their strongest line-up in the warm-up games before the first Test against Bangladesh.

They are to resist tinkering with the team because they are only playing two warm-up matches, which are threatened by continued heavy rain.

Normally, all squad members are given some competitive action.

Michael Vaughan said: "We'll be trying to play our best players and get them into form for that first Test match."

With the weather around at the moment, it's imperative that everyone has that little bit of time in the middle Michael Vaughan

The England skipper said the management had yet to meet to discuss the finer details.

But he added: " The batters need time in the middle and the bowlers need a good, long bowl.

"With the weather around at the moment, it's imperative that everyone has that little bit of time in the middle for those who are going to be playing in that first Test."

England are set to play their first warm-up game against a BCB President's XI on Sunday and the first Test is scheduled for Dhaka on 21 October.

England's preparations have been hampered by the torrential rain, which forced them to practice indoors on Thursday.

Two of the players who could find themselves on the sidelines during the Tests only arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday.

Somerset seamer Richard Johnson, given special dispensation to join up late following his wedding last weekend, joined the squad along with Kent's Martin Saggers, who was a last minute replacement for groin-injury victim Andrew Flintoff.

Vaughan said: "Martin was given the call on Monday morning.

"He's flown back to England and then flown out here so it will be difficult for him.

"He's been given an opportunity to try and impress the England management and whether he's out here for three weeks or longer that's down to him.

"If he gets an opportunity to play I hope he bowls like he did for Kent this summer because he's taken a number of wickets for them over the last three years."