Dhaka [Bangladesh]: Australia have called off their only two-day warm-up match in Fatullah ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh because of poor conditions at the ground.
Fatullah received incessant rainfall a week before the game, which has made a telling impact on the ground conditions
Coach Darren Lehmann, who was among of group of team staff who took a final look at Fatullah, confirmed the news to the reporters.
“We’ve decided to not do the tour game now which is a shame for both sides, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has been fantastic trying to get a game,” cricket.com.au quoted Lehmann as saying on Monday after Australia’s training session was washed out in Mirpur.
“The amount of rain they’ve had can’t be helped.”
“We looked at various facilities around Bangladesh, and Dhaka especially. We feel for the BCB and all the people of Bangladesh with how much rain they’ve had,” he added.
The Australia head coach said that it was a shame that they are not playing despite being offered with the best of facilities.
“At the end of the day, we just can’t play on the ground as such,” he said.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are believed to have proposed Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium as alternative venues.
But it appears that rescheduling the match would have been a difficult logistical feat, given Australia’s meticulously planned security arrangements.
The opening Test of the series begins Sunday at the Shere-e-Bangla Stadium. The second Test will start in Chittagong on September 4.
Australia has won all four Tests they have played against Bangladesh, but the teams haven’t met in the five-day format since 2006. (ANI)