বাংলা | Epaper

বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Tuesday | 11 August 2026, 27 Srabon 1433

HEADLINE

● Administrators appointed to 4 financial instts under closure process ● PM wishes Malaysian PM speedy recovery ● Colombia quake death toll rises to over 100 ● Hundreds fall victim to measles outbreak despite successful vaccine rollout ● 2 held with 250,000 pieces of yaba tablets in Ctg ● No decision yet on PM’s India visit: FM ● HC rule on banning carcinogenic chemical in bread

What will the pitch be like for the first Bangladesh-Australia test?

Published : Monday, 10 August, 2026 at 4:20 PM

Observer Online Report

The pitch for the opening Test between Bangladesh and Australia remains a key talking point as Test cricket returns to Darwin after 22 years, with curators facing the added challenge of preparing a surface capable of maintaining its quality over five days in northern Australia’s distinct weather conditions.

The Bangladesh-Australia series will mark the return of Test cricket to Darwin after more than two decades, while Mackay is set to host its first-ever men’s Test. The significance of the series has placed additional pressure on the curators at both venues, particularly as the grounds have not hosted Test cricket for an extended period.

Bangladesh have yet to train at the Test venue and are scheduled to have practice sessions there on August 11 and 12. As a result, the team management is not yet in a position to provide a detailed assessment of the pitch. A senior team official told Dhaka Post that the final decision on the playing XI would be made after assessing the wicket. Grass is currently visible on the surface, although some of it could be removed before the match.

Meanwhile, Litton Das’ availability for the Test will be decided on the eve of the match. The Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter is reportedly doing well.

Preparing the Darwin surface has also presented some unique challenges. The use of excessive herbicides to control weeds is avoided because it could damage the grass required for the cricket pitch. Another challenge is that the Darwin venue uses a drop-in pitch. Both Darwin and Mackay will host the Tests during their relatively cool and dry season.

Curators at the two venues have also highlighted the difference between preparing a good white-ball surface and producing a Test pitch capable of maintaining its quality and providing an appropriate contest over five days. According to two curators, the behaviour and durability of the surface are far more important in Test cricket.

Darwin curator Pavlich and Mackay curator Kazakoff have acknowledged the pressure surrounding the preparations. Their ultimate expectation is that, once the umpires walk onto the field on the opening day, all the preparations will prove successful and the spectators will be able to enjoy a high-quality Test match.

-HIS

Also read

Kane wins golden shoe twice

Tanzid nominated for ICC player of month award

Taskin goes fishing with Australian cricketers

South Korea FA apologises over allegations of sexual entertainment for foreign referees

UEFA, AFC, CONCACAF turn on Infantino

Scared, can't send money to family, says BFF British Coach

Rybakina survives scare as Gauff, Osaka race into Toronto quarters

Cameroon surprise Nigeria and reach WAFCON semi-finals

Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], ‍[email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296

🔝