Australia cancel tour match

Australia’s scheduled tour match has been cancelled owing to the fact that Fatullah is not ready yet.

Fatullah’s Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium is deemed to be unsuitable after contaminated water flooded the venue from heavy rain in recent weeks.

"There are dying mills and garments factories half-a-kilometer away. The dirty water from these, combined with sewage from the Ramarbagh area and Lampara area, seep into the field from one side," a local from the neighbouring Lampara area had informed previously.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board had made the sincerest of efforts to get the ground ready in time for the practice match between the visiting Australians and a BCB XI.

Coach Darren Lehmann and captain Steve Smith visited Fatullah this morning. The ground was still waterlogged and Australia made the call to cancel the tour match. Lehmann confirmed the news via a press conference.

After visiting BKSP yesterday, the Australia team had notified BCB that they would not be playing the two-day practice game scheduled for 22 and 23 August. They however, conveyed the wish to practice at the academy ground in Mirpur.

BCB's media and communications committee chairman Jalal Younus told The Daily Star: “This morning a delegation from the Australian team, consisting of players and officials, visited the Fatullah Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.  

“The outfield is not ready yet, and there were damp areas in particular places of the ground. The Australia team decided to not play the two-day match because of the dampness in the playing area and the tour match was cancelled.

“BCB tried it’s best to get the ground ready, however it wasn’t possible because of the conditions at Fatullah.

“Australia will be practicing on a regular basis at the academy ground in Mirpur and they are happy with the facilities available at there,” Jalal Younus concluded.