Mirpur outfield rated 'poor'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee rated the outfield for the first Test between Bangladesh and Australia from August 27 to 30 at the recently re-laid Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur as 'poor', according to a press release issued by cricket's global governing body yesterday.

Crowe, in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, submitted his report to the ICC in which he expressed concern over the quality of the outfield.

The report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which now has 14 days to respond.

"The grass was their main concern and we understand why they found it to be poor," ESPNCricinfo quoted BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury as saying. "The weather this year was the worst in the last decade, but the groundstaff gave it their best."

The matter will be dealt by Clause 4 of the process in which the first occasion of such a rating is dealt with a warning and/or a fine not exceeding 15,000 dollars given together with 'a directive for appropriate corrective action'. If it happens again within five years of the first finding, the fine goes up to 30,000 dollars.