Dhaka outfield rated as ‘poor’ by ICC Match Referee

ICC match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees has given a "poor" rating to the outfield of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium that was used in the first Test between Bangladesh and Australia in Dhaka where the game ended in favour of the hosts.

The report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which now has 14 days to respond, said the ICC in a statement.

Bangladesh won the match by 20 runs, their maiden victory over Australia before the visitors drew the series with a seven-wicket victory in Chittagong in the second Test.

“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 pitch,” read the statement further.

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

The BCB’s response will be reviewed by ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

The matter will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process.

The first occasion of such a rating is dealt with a warning and/or a fine not exceeding $15,000 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.

There was however serious concern over the quality of the outfield even before the Test as most of the ground didn't have full grass covering, giving it a brownish look. There was also talk about shifting the venue. The players also privately spoke about the quality of the outfield during the Test. This is the first time the Shere Bangla National Stadium's outfield has come under such scrutiny.

Although the Test was held during Bangladesh's off season, the BCB's grounds committee was preparing the Dhaka outfield for months in advance. After the 2016 BPL final was completed, the outfield grass was completely taken off and the surface was re-laid.

Dhaka outfield rated as poor by ICC Match Referee

ICC match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees has given a poor rating to the outfield of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium that was used in the first Test between Bangladesh and Australia in Dhaka where the game ended in favour of the hosts. The report has been forwarded to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which now has 14 days to respond, said the ICC in a statement. Bangladesh won the match by 20 runs, their maiden victory over Australia before the visitors drew the series with a seven-wicket victory in Chittagong in the second Test. 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 pitch, read the statement further. The grass was their main concern and we understand why they found it to be poor, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. The weather this year was the worst in the last decade, but the groundstaff gave it their best. The BCBs response will be reviewed by ICCs General Manager Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. The matter will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process. The first occasion of such a rating is dealt with a warning and/or a fine not exceeding $15,000 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. There was however serious concern over the quality of the outfield even before the Test as most of the ground didnt have full grass covering, giving it a brownish look. There was also talk about shifting the venue. The players also privately spoke about the quality of the outfield during the Test. This is the first time the Shere Bangla National Stadiums outfield has come under such scrutiny. Although the Test was held during Bangladeshs off season, the BCBs grounds committee was preparing the Dhaka outfield for months in advance. After the 2016 BPL final was completed, the outfield grass was completely taken off and the surface was re-laid.