Solitary Australia practice match called off

The lone two-day practice match between Australia and the BCB XI was called off on Monday due to a waterlogged Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, venue for the game. Before going into the two-match Test series against host Bangladesh starting from Sunday with the first game in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, the Aussies were scheduled to play a two-day warm-up match on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, BCB’s media and communications committee chairman Jalal Younus said, “They went to the Fatullah ground [Monday] morning and while they appreciated our effort, the ground wasn't deemed up to the mark. "Some parts of the outfield remained wet so they didn't want to play the practice match there. I think the removal of the water should have started earlier because this has been an exceptionally rainy summer. Waterlogging outside the ground also hampered the ground.”

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Also read: Aussies decline to play practice match

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Despite the cancellation, Australia coach Darren Lehmann praised the BCB for its efforts. Lehmann inspected the Fatullah Stadium on Monday, along with captain Steve Smith and team manager Kate Hutchinson. "The BCB has been fantastic trying to get us the game. The amount of rain hasn't helped. We looked at various facilities around Dhaka. We feel for the people of Bangladesh with the amount of rain they have had. There are a lot of people in this country struggling because of the rain so the thoughts are with them,” said Lehmann. Meanwhile, BCB media manager Rabeed Imam said, “The Australia manager and skipper went to Fatullah. They are saying it is better to practise at the academy ground in Mirpur instead of playing in Fatullah. Given the current condition of the Fatullah Stadium, they are preferring training in Mirpur.”