OFFICIALs are putting the finishing touches to preparations for Chester-le-Street's big moment in the national sporting spotlight.

The Riverside cricket ground stages the second npower Test match between England and Bangladesh, starting this Friday, at 11am.

It is only the second Test to be staged there, following the ground-breaking first, against Zimbabwe in 2003.

Hosts Durham County Cricket Club, match organisers, the England and Wales Cricket Board, plus in-house caterers Azure and local traders will be keeping one eye on the heavens and another on the scoreboard, hoping the scheduled five-day match runs for at least three days.

The first two days are near 8,500 sell-outs, but a few thousand tickets have also been sold for Sunday's play.

Officials hope Bangladesh's batsmen show more resolve than in last week's first Test at Lords.

It ended with an easy England victory less than 90-minutes into the third day, forcing the board to offer ticket-holders a partial refund under match regulations.

A Durham County club spokeswoman said: "According to the forecasts the weather side looks reasonable, but we are obviously hoping the game runs as long as possible."

She advised fans thinking of attending either of the first two days to book to avoid disappointment should the remaining tickets be snapped up in advance.

The Test match marks the start of a busy month at the Riverside, with the long-awaited visit of world champions Australia for a one-day NatWest Series international, against England on Thursday, June 23.

Extra seating will be mounted for the day/night floodlit match, a 16,000 sell-out for the past month.

It will be followed by the start of the popular Twenty20 Cup programme, against Notts Outlaws on June 28, with further matches against Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Lancashire next month.

Although the Riverside's new £1.7m media centre will only have one floor in use for the Bangladesh Test, it should be fully operational in time for the Australia game later in the month.

Motorists heading to the ground from the A1(M) are asked to use the inside lane of the A167 on Park Road, approaching the Ropery Lane junction.

Parking spaces for 3,000 vehicles are available near the ground and restrictions will be rigorously enforced in nearby streets.

* Tickets, costing £20 or £25 for adults and only £5 for under-16s, can be booked via the Riverside box office, on (0191) 387 5151, during office hours.