Commemorative medallions to be presented at Test series opener

Australia and Bangladesh's cricketers will each be presented with a commemorative medallion to mark the first Test between the two nations, Cricket Australia announced today.

The specially produced medallions which sport the emblems of both countries will be presented to all team members and management by Northern Territory Minister for Sport and Recreation Mr John Ah Kit and Cricket Australia Chairman Bob Merriman, prior to the start of the first 3 Test at Darwin's Marrara Oval tomorrow (18 July).

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the medallions would provide both teams with a tangible reminder of an historic Test match.

"This match will be remembered for a number of reasons, perhaps most notably Australia's first contest against Bangladesh in the Test arena and Darwin's debut as a host of international cricket," Mr Sutherland said.

"As such Cricket Australia felt it was appropriate to mark the historic occasion by producing a memento that all players and management involved in the match could remember it by," he said.

Each medallion has the words, "Australia v Bangladesh, Inaugural Test Match, Darwin, July 18-22, 2003" engraved on it.

The first 3 Test starts at 0930 (Darwin time). Gates open at 0800.