BANGLADESH coach Dav Whatmore has cited Durham's gradual rise through the county ranks as an example of what his Test strugglers could achieve in the next ten years.

The Asian tourists will get their first taste of the Riverside later today when they begin the second Test with England as massive underdogs following last weekend's comprehensive thrashing at Lord's.

But, while commentators such as Richie Benaud and Michael Atherton have questioned Bangladesh's right to Test status, Whatmore has described Durham's scintillating start to the season as evidence of the progress that can be made given time.

Since achieving first class status in 1992, Durham have spent most of their time acting as the whipping boys of the county game.

This season has been different however and, with promotion to the first division of both the County Championship and the Totesport League in their sights, the North-Easterners act as a beacon to the likes of Bangladesh.

"Durham are an example to us of what can be achieved," said Whatmore. "They are inspiration because they have shown what is possible for any team coming into any competition.

"They might be a county side who have struggled in the county game before their success this season, but there is no reason why Bangladesh cannot eventually succeed in international cricket. Durham are showing that, if you really want to get there, you will get there."

Sri Lanka-born Whatmore has consistently defended Bangladesh's status but, after the furore that followed the first Test, the 51-year-old is becoming tired of repeatedly going over old ground.

"It does irk me that all I keep being asked about is whether Bangladesh should be a Test side," he said. "The fact is we are a full Test match country, that is where we belong and that is where we will remain for a long time.

"We are trying to improve our game, it's a learning curve for us, but the most important thing is we want to get there."

Nevertheless, the vagaries of the Riverside pitch means this could be another chastening two or three days for the tourists.

Last weekend's reverse made it 32 defeats from 37 Tests and it would be one of the biggest shocks of all time if Bangladesh were to improve that statistic this weekend.

"Given the weather we've had over the last couple of days, the pitch will be more difficult to negotiate than Lord's," said Whatmore. "I've had to give the squad some encouragement after the Lord's defeat, but we've had a clear look at the areas we didn't do so well in and we're keen to improve."

As if things were not going badly enough, Bangladesh were forced to change their plans at the last minute yesterday when 16-year-old batsman Mushfiqur Rahim sprained his ankle while walking down some stairs in the team's Redworth Hall base.

Rahim is unlikely to figure later today, while pace bowler Tapash Baisya remains doubtful because of an Achilles problem.

England: ME Trescothick, AJ Strauss, MP Vaughan (capt), IR Bell, GP Thorpe, A Flintoff, GO Jones (wkt) , GJ Batty, MJ Hoggard, SJ Harmison, SP Jones.

Bangladesh (from): H Bashar (capt), J Omar, N Iqbal, A Ahmed, M Ashrafal, M Rahim, K Mashud (wkt), M Rafique, M Mortaza, A Hossain, S Hossain, R Saleh, T Baisya

Umpires: DJ Harper (Aus) & AL Hill (NZ)

Third umpire: N Llong Referee: A Hurst (Aus).