Bangladesh put in final preparations ahead of Australia tour game

A day before the tour’s first match begins, a three-day practice match against a Cricket Australia XI, the Bangladesh players sweated it out at the DXC Arena in Darwin on Wednesday.

The conditions were pristine, and the mood was upbeat, further boosted by the arrival of experienced wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das.

Litton spent some time in the nets and took part in fielding drills, even helping out the coaching staff at one point by throwing balls for a catching session for the slip cordon, with Amite Hasan wearing the wicketkeeping gloves.

The tour game will take place at the Marrara Oval, situated right beside the DXC Arena, where the Bangladesh players will get their first taste of red-ball cricket on Australian soil in 23 years.

Pacer Hasan Mahmud spoke of the importance of the match and hoped that the Bangladesh players will take full advantage of it.

“I feel that our practice game will be very important for preparation for the match. It will also help us to adjust to the conditions and the pitch,” Hasan said in a video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Before leaving for Australia, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had spoken about how their practice for the tour had been hampered by rain in Dhaka.

However, the players have been able to train in bright and windy conditions in Darwin and hopes that everyone will be ready for the series before the first of the two Tests begins on August 13.

“The practice sessions have been excellent. Today we had a fielding, batting and bowling session. Of course, we have more tasks and sessions ahead. Hopefully, everyone will be able to complete their preparations.”