But the general observation was that England captain Michael Vaughan was not in a mood to finish off the game without having good match practice for his top-order batsmen, who were not among the runs in the county championship.

That's why the declaration came a bit later than expected despite the fact that the home side had put enough runs on the board at the lunch break on the second day.

But then there was another noble reason that the visitors would have to play for the crowd since the authorities had already sold 17,581 tickets for the third day.

The third morning started as disastrously as it was on the first day with Bangladesh losing three wickets inside the first two overs.

But then the knowledgeable crowd enjoyed the best part of Bangladesh's innings with a vintage Khaled Mashud and number ten Anwar Hossain Monir batting together for more than an hour. Mashud scored 44 before becoming the last batsmen out while Monir made 13.

The ninth wicket partnership of 51 between the pair was also the highest stand in the first Test for Bangladesh at Lord's.

Mashud and Monir also saved half the day's money for ECB after they were faced with the prospect of a full refund when Aftab, Rafique and Mashrafee returned to the dressing room with the day's play only 11 balls old.

According to ECB rules if a day's play is fewer than ten overs then they are bound to make a full refund of the ticket money.

The audience, however, was more interested to see Bangladesh surviving as long as possible. They cheered not only a good shot but also the discomforting short-pitched stuff that Monir had to take on his body.

Mashud hit five boundaries including two magnificent off-drives for four in one over from Matthew Hoggard. It was however not how many boundaries he struck but his approach against the quality English pace attack that withstood everything. His innings also gave a glimpse of hope that if our batsmen apply themselves properly then their next game at Durham won't be as heartbreaking as it was at Lord's.