BCB brings experts to make wickets like New Zealand

Dhaka, Sept 19 - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has hired cricket turf expert Ian Joseph McKenzie from New Zealand to prepare Bangladesh wickets, which would give the players to practice in all seasons and help them cope with the pitches around the around. 

McKenzie, who is in charge of Turf Management of the Kiwi Board, arrived in Dhaka today.

After the board meeting last August, BCB President Nazmul Hassan Papon announced the modernization of the practice system in line with other countries in the world. Papon then specifically named New Zealand. After about a month and a half, the board is walking on the path of implementation.

"BCB has taken an initiative to bring in New Zealand Head of Turf Management, Ian Joseph McKenzie. He is very experienced and he oversees every field in New Zealand. He is very good in terms of knowledge," BCB ground committee manager Syed Abdul Baten said here today. 

Baten said that the board wants to use his experience in making wickets like New Zealand.

"We have brought him in because we want to compare the kind of wickets and outfields that New Zealand produce. He will have a practical experience by visiting the fields. We can learn more about how wickets are made in New Zealand."

McKenzie will visit the venues of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet. Apart from this, pitch curators from all departments of the country will be trained in a workshop. The two-day workshop is scheduled to be held on September 23 and 24.

"First we will show him the venues. Tomorrow we will go to Chattogram Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, then we'll visit Cox's Bazar. On 21st September we will return to Dhaka from Cox's Bazar. We'll visit Sylhet on 22nd September. Back from there...our main course, workshop is on 23rd and 24th September.

Pitch in Bogra in the country is so far the only venue which aids pacers. But no international games are played here for a long time. Cricketers do not even practice there as everything is centered in Mirpur. The last camp was held before the South Africa series. Now the board wants to arrange practice on such wickets everywhere.