Bangladesh to tour Australia in 2010

Australia are set to host Bangladesh for a two-Test series in mid-2010, Cricket Australia have confirmed.

The decision was taken when representatives from Cricket Australia and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) met during ICC meetings in Kuala Lumpur. It was agreed to hold the two-Test series in July-August 2010 in northern Australia. Bangladesh's first and only tour of Australia so far was in in July 2003, when they played Tests in Darwin and Cairns in northern Australia.

The series was originally scheduled to be played in August this year but was postponed due a clash with the Beijing Olympic Games. "Through the cooperation of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, we have been able to reschedule the Test series between Australia and Bangladesh for the middle of 2010 when both teams have no other obligations under the Future Tours Program," Michael Brown, CA's general manager of cricket, said.

"The decision to delay this year's scheduled Tests due to the Beijing Olympics was taken to ensure that the series received its due recognition from the media and cricketing public. We believe the opportunity to play the Test series in mid-2010 will attract higher television audiences and a high level of interest in Australia and Bangladesh."

Cricket Australia also accepted BCB's proposal for four warm-up one-dayers and a three-day fixture when Bangladesh tour later this year, besides three additional tour games during the trip in 2010.

The two teams have played four Tests so far. Australia toured Bangladesh in mid 2006, a series that saw them clinch a thrilling Test in Fatullah. The second Test in Chittagong, which Australia won, is most remembered for Jason Gillespie's unbeaten 201 in what turned out to be his last Test.