"If we win in two or three days then we're expected to. If it goes to four or five then we're not playing well - that's what will probably be written.

"But we have to go out there to try and get our confidence up," he said.

"Bangladesh are a Test nation, they've got a win under their belts. It's a difficult time to come to England, but hopefully it will be a good spectacle."

The bookies are doubtful, however, with the odds on a Bangladesh victory at Lord's ranging from 40/1 to 66/1.

Harmison is pleased with his preparations ahead of the Test summer, having captured 27 wickets in four matches during Durham's impressive start to the season.

"It's gone well, all the lads are fighting fit and its been great to be involved," he said.

The giant paceman is also satisfied with his rhythm, which went awry during a difficult tour of South Africa in the winter.

"Since the first game at Leicester I've been getting better and better and hopefully that will continue," he said.

Harmison was speaking to the BBC from a school in East London, where 85 per cent of the children are of Bangladeshi descent.

"The kids are very enthusiastic, they're all running round chasing tennis balls and it's good to see," he said.

"At the moment the England team is doing very well and the more young cricketers we can get wanting to be the next Andrew Flintoff the better for English cricket.

"You look at the Rugby World Cup, how big Jonny Wilkinson went.

"Every kid in the playground wanted to be the next Jonny Wilkinson which was great for English rugby and hopefully come September we'll have the next Andrew Flintoff or Michael Vaughan if we win the Ashes."