England gain rest before Bangladesh

England's players will earn a rare month off after the dates for their tour of Bangladesh were announced. The team arrive on February 17 meaning they will have had a four-week break following the conclusion of their South Africa tour in January.

Players who appear in both Tests and one-dayers will be back in action first, but those who appear just in Tests will not be needed for duty until early March. Following the conclusion of the tour there will be the opportunity for England players with IPL deals to undertake their three-week window at the event ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in West Indies.

The first Test in Bangladesh will be play at Chittagong with the second at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, which will also stage two of the three ODIs. England last toured the country for a full series in 2003, winning the Tests 2-0 and the ODIs 3-0.

They are likely to play three warm-up games against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI before the ODI series, and will take on Bangladesh A in a three-day game in Chittagong ahead of the Tests.

February 17, 2010 - Arrival
February 28 - 1st ODI, Mirpur
March 2 - 2nd ODI, Mirpur
March 5 - 3rd ODI, Chittagong
March 7-9 - Three day warm-up against Bangladesh A, Chittagong
March 12-16 - 1st Test, Chittagong
March 20-24 - 2nd Test, Mirpur
March 25 - Departure