Marrara curator hopes match won't end in two days

Twenty-three years ago, Bangladesh and Australia faced off at Marrara Oval in Darwin. As the upcoming Bangladesh-Australia Test series kicks off at the same venue, Marrara's head curator, Jack Pavlich, hopes the match will at least last beyond two days.

Only two Test matches have ever been played at Marrara Stadium. In the last Test played there in 2003, Bangladesh took on Australia, and the Aussies defeated Bangladesh by an inning within just three days.

Curator Pavlich hopes history will not repeat itself in the upcoming Test against Bangladesh. "We never want a Test match to end in two days," he said. "To be honest, that is out of our control. We only prepare the pitch, and the rest depends on the players."

With a red-ball match returning to Marrara after nearly 23 years, what will the pitch be like? Pavlich shared, "It will be a quality pitch where runs can be scored, and bowlers will also get some assistance if they put in the effort. We are not in a position to experiment right now, so we will prepare a balanced pitch that is genuinely fit for play."

Pavlich noted that the wicket could become somewhat challenging for batters on the fourth and fifth days. However, their goal is to prepare a surface that offers consistent bounce and behavior.

Will it be a pace-friendly pitch like typical Australian surfaces? Pavlich explained, "Pitches across the country vary in nature, making it hard to define a standard Australian pitch. Frankly, I am not entirely sure myself. I hope to provide a quality batting wicket where bowlers can also earn rewards through hard work. I know it sounds cliché, but that is the goal."

The first Test of the two-match series is scheduled to begin on August 13 at Marrara.