BCCI Shift Australia A’s four-dayers from Vizag to Bengaluru
Aug 28, 2018 at 10:43 AM
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have decided to shift the two four-day games of Australia A against India A to Bengaluru from Vizag. As a result, the visitors will have to travel less who are already in the city for the 50-over series.
The development comes after the 50-overs leg of their tour was moved from Vijayawada to Bengaluru because of heavy rain and unfit ground conditions. The Australian players had to spend a majority of their stay indoors or in training at a private gym facility.
However, the official announcement is yet to come. But as per reports in ESPNcricinfo, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has accepted BCCI’s request. Furthermore, they have also facilitated all logistical arrangements.
The first four-day fixture (September 2-5) will be at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the second (September 8-11) will be at Alur, on the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, until earlier this year, Alur hosted only one-day fixtures.
However, the recent construction of a clubhouse and dressing rooms that conform to BCCI’s set standards have made it a first-class venue. It hosted the second four-day fixture against South Africa A last month and had hosted matches in the ongoing Quadrangular series.
Meanwhile, Australia A have started to look good in the quadrangular series. They are in the second spot with 12 points from five games. Last night, they defeated India B quite convincingly banking on Usman Khawaja’s hundred.
The southpaw shared a good partnership with Jack Wildermuth to see their team home. Previously, the bowlers rode on Michael Naser’s three-wicket haul to restrict the opposition to 276.
As a result, Australia A takes on India A in the final at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on August 29 (Wednesday)