cricman
March 12, 2006, 04:00 PM
Bangladesh tour venues in doubt
By Nabila Ahmed
March 13, 2006
Less than a month before the start of Australia's first tour of Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council has revealed that the proposed venue for the first Test is unlikely to be ready.
A council spokesman has said the Mirpur Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the venue for the first of two Tests, is still under construction.
But Cricket Australia said yesterday it was not aware of any problems. "We have been in talks with the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board), and our last advice was that the ground would be ready," a spokesman said.
"We're not due there for a few more weeks. We will have to wait and see."
The first Test, starting on April 9, may have to be moved to the Narayanganj Oshmani Stadium in Fatulla, on the outskirts of Dhaka. It is believed to have been cleared after the initial inspection raised concerns about the room for the referee/third umpire, the media centre, and facilities for television and radio commentators.
The ICC spokesman said the Fatulla stadium should receive official approval in the next few days.
"One of the issues the local authorities need to address is a police escort to and from the ground for all players and officials, as the hotel is 20 kilometres from the venue," the spokesman said. "The journey time is approximately 40 minutes when an escort is provided."
Although Australia would prefer to play the first Test in Dhaka, alternative venues include the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra and the Divisional Stadium in Chittagong, which is scheduled to host the second Test and one of the three one-day international games.
An initial ICC inspection of the Mirpur and Fatulla stadiums in February failed to secure official approval.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board then rescheduled matches for the series against Sri Lanka to Bogra, a city to the north of Dhaka, and Chittagong in the country's south-east, sparking protests from aggrieved fans in Dhaka.
Cricket Australia said confirmation of venues for the month-long tour of Bangladesh was "imminent". Its own inspection team already has approved transport and security measures for the tour.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/bangladesh-tour-venues-in-doubt/2006/03/12/1142098345346.html)
By Nabila Ahmed
March 13, 2006
Less than a month before the start of Australia's first tour of Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council has revealed that the proposed venue for the first Test is unlikely to be ready.
A council spokesman has said the Mirpur Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the venue for the first of two Tests, is still under construction.
But Cricket Australia said yesterday it was not aware of any problems. "We have been in talks with the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board), and our last advice was that the ground would be ready," a spokesman said.
"We're not due there for a few more weeks. We will have to wait and see."
The first Test, starting on April 9, may have to be moved to the Narayanganj Oshmani Stadium in Fatulla, on the outskirts of Dhaka. It is believed to have been cleared after the initial inspection raised concerns about the room for the referee/third umpire, the media centre, and facilities for television and radio commentators.
The ICC spokesman said the Fatulla stadium should receive official approval in the next few days.
"One of the issues the local authorities need to address is a police escort to and from the ground for all players and officials, as the hotel is 20 kilometres from the venue," the spokesman said. "The journey time is approximately 40 minutes when an escort is provided."
Although Australia would prefer to play the first Test in Dhaka, alternative venues include the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra and the Divisional Stadium in Chittagong, which is scheduled to host the second Test and one of the three one-day international games.
An initial ICC inspection of the Mirpur and Fatulla stadiums in February failed to secure official approval.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board then rescheduled matches for the series against Sri Lanka to Bogra, a city to the north of Dhaka, and Chittagong in the country's south-east, sparking protests from aggrieved fans in Dhaka.
Cricket Australia said confirmation of venues for the month-long tour of Bangladesh was "imminent". Its own inspection team already has approved transport and security measures for the tour.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/bangladesh-tour-venues-in-doubt/2006/03/12/1142098345346.html)