CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (AP) - England captain Alastair Cook has warned his players about the threat posed by Bangladesh’s spinners in the first Test starting Friday.

The first of the two-test series will be held in Chittagong’s Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. England is the only Test-playing nation never to lose to Bangladesh in any form of the game.

The hosts go into the Test after sweeping the three-match one-day international series 3-0.

"Their spinners will be a huge threat and for us to take them lightly would be a cardinal sin," Cook told reporters after a practice session in this southeastern port city of Chittagong on Thursday.

"We all know spin is important in the subcontinent," said Cook, standing in for Andrew Strauss who has been rested for the Bangladesh tour.

Bangladesh has three experienced left-arm spinners in its squad, while England is expected to include two off-spinners, Graeme Swann and uncapped James Tredwell. Their role has become even more important due to an injury-stricken pace attack.

Ryan Sidebottom has flown back home due to a thigh injury, and fellow seamer Graham Onions has been ruled out for the Test series because of a back injury.

England is hoping that Stuart Broad, struggling with a back spasm, will pass a fitness test before the match. He bowled 10 overs during a practice session Wednesday without feeling any discomfort.

Bangladesh suffered a jolt when batsman Rakibul Hasan announced a surprise decision to retire from all forms of the game and pulled out of the Test series.

Hasan, who scored a century and a fifty in the warm-up match against England to force an inclusion in the team, resigned late Wednesday citing personal reasons.