Tigers to train in Chittagong too

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to arrange a training camp for the Tigers in Chittagong from August 4 as the second Test against Australia will take place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium from September 4.

The Bangladesh cricketers have already been through a strenuous fitness camp in Dhaka, the venue for the first Test, and chairman of the BCB cricket operations committee Akram Khan informed that the camp in Chittagong would ensure that the cricketers properly acclimatise to the conditions and pitches in the port city.

The Tigers are also going to play a practice match in Chittagong.

"The cricketers are performing well in the conditioning camp in Dhaka. They are doing net practice there. They will start their conditioning camp in Chittagong by playing a practice match. We have a scheduled Test match in Chittagong against Australia, so our main target will be to cope with the wickets and conditions soon," Khan told reporters in Cox's Bazar yesterday.

Although the first Test scheduled to start at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from August 27, the tour is hanging in the balance as it finds itself in the middle of a heated pay dispute between Cricket Australia and its players.

Khan however provided good news as he informed that there was a high chance of Zimbabwe A coming to Bangladesh to play a series, while discussions were ongoing with Afghanistan about a possible visit here as well.

The former national captain also hoped that the dispute in Australia would be resolved in time for the series.

"It's Cricket Australia's internal problem, but we are taking preparations for the series as per schedule. We are thinking positively about the series. This series is very important for us as we have South Africa series after it."

He also informed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had not renewed batting coach Thilan Samaraweera's contract after Champions Trophy, and added that a new batting coach would arrive soon.

"We are negotiating with a batting coach and he will probably arrive within a few days. He will work particularly with lower order batsmen. We are hiring him for the short term but if is a good fit then we will extend the deal. I cannot name him as per the code of conduct, but I can say that he is an Australian," concluded Khan. It was learnt that former Australian first-class cricketer and coach Mark O'Neill may get that job.