Decision on Litton’s Warm-up Match Participation Expected Thursday Morning

Online Desk : Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das completed a full training session on Wednesday without experiencing any discomfort, boosting hopes of his return ahead of the first Test against Australia.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Habibul Bashar said Litton successfully went through both batting and wicketkeeping sessions, with a final decision on his participation in the three-day practice match against Cricket Australia XI to be made on Thursday morning.

“Litton completed a training session today and looked comfortable. He also took part in wicketkeeping drills. A decision on whether he will play the practice match will be taken on the morning of the game,” Bashar told The Daily Star on Wednesday.

Bangladesh will begin their only warm-up fixture against Cricket Australia XI at DXC Arena in Darwin on Thursday, ahead of the opening Test, which starts on August 13.

Litton suffered a calf muscle injury during Bangladesh’s ODI series in Australia, ruling him out of the subsequent T20I series against the hosts as well as the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. After making encouraging progress in his recovery, he was included in Bangladesh’s squad for the two-match Test series.

His fitness has remained a key concern for the Tigers ahead of the series, particularly after pace bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam were ruled out of the first Test because of injuries.

Following the three-day practice match, Bangladesh are scheduled to train at DXC Arena on August 9, 10 and 11 before holding their final practice session at TIO Stadium on August 12, one day before the opening Test.