Weather to blame for 'poor' rating

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said that inclement weather was responsible for the below-par outfield at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium during the first Test against Australia, after the ground received a 'poor' from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In a press release on September 14, the ICC wrote that the venue for the first of the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and Australia had been rated 'poor' by match referee Jeff Crowe.

In reply to the ICC's observations, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that flood and constant rainfall in the country were the main reasons behind the issue.

"For the last five months there were floods and rain and it was due to this inclement weather that it happened. We did not get any complaints about the venue, which hosted the final of ICC T20 World Cup in 2014 along with the Asia Cup. There was no lack in preparations. They [ICC] have raised [an] observation about the grass and I am hopeful it will be fine through passing the days," Nizamuddin told reporters yesterday.

He also informed that there was no lack of commitment from the groundsmen in preparing the ground since it was renovated last year and added that they worked continuously before the series.