The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is taking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s own expertise in pitch preparation and ground management by launching its first Level-1 training programme for pitch curators and ground staff. The initiative is aimed at reducing long-term dependence on overseas specialists while developing a pool of skilled local professionals capable of managing cricket venues to a consistent standard.
The two-day training workshop is scheduled to take place on 11 and 12 August at Flight Lieutenant Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. The course will be conducted under the leadership of Tony Hemming, the BCB’s Head of Turf Management. Participants will receive practical and technical guidance on key aspects of pitch preparation, turf maintenance, wicket management and broader ground operations.
The programme is being introduced as part of a wider effort to improve the professionalism and technical capacity of Bangladesh’s cricket infrastructure. Mazhar Uddin, secretary of the BCB’s Grounds Committee, said the Level-1 certificate course was being organised for the first time with the specific objective of improving the skills of the country’s curators and ground staff.
According to the plan, curators and ground personnel working at different venues will gradually be brought under the training programme. For the inaugural workshop, 30 curators from Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram will take part. Their knowledge and practical understanding will be assessed through an examination at the end of the course, with only those who successfully pass the assessment receiving the Level-1 certification.
The quality of a cricket match is closely linked to the condition of the playing surface. A well-prepared pitch can influence the balance between bat and ball, while poor preparation can affect the quality and competitiveness of a contest. Curators must consider a range of factors, including soil composition, moisture levels, grass coverage, drainage, weather conditions and the intended characteristics of the wicket.
The task is particularly demanding in Bangladesh, where high humidity and frequent rainfall can create difficult conditions for maintaining pitches and outfields. Managing moisture, protecting playing surfaces from excessive rain and ensuring that wickets remain suitable for different formats require specialised knowledge and considerable practical experience. Developing professionals who understand these challenges within the local climate could therefore be valuable for the country’s cricketing infrastructure.
For years, the preparation of pitches for major domestic and international fixtures has at times involved the expertise of foreign specialists. The BCB’s latest initiative seeks to gradually build greater self-reliance by giving local curators structured training and opportunities to develop their technical skills.
The Level-1 course is expected to serve as more than a certification exercise. It could provide the foundation for a longer-term development pathway in which curators receive progressive training and gain experience across different venues and playing conditions. A stronger network of qualified local professionals could eventually help the board maintain greater consistency in pitch standards across the country.
The Chattogram workshop will mark the beginning of the BCB’s formal Level-1 curator training initiative. If the programme is expanded successfully, it could play an important role in creating a trained and professional workforce capable of preparing and maintaining pitches for both domestic competitions and international cricket.