SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh have chosen to reside in the quiet village setting of Hatfield Heath in Essex County, away from the hustle and bustle that usually accompanies the team on away tours.

Yesterday, the Tigers underwent the second day of practice at The Lays before their warm-up match against Ireland Wolves today at Fenner’s.

The Lays is a quiet setting in a private school with indoor facilities, centre wickets and side nets. On Wednesday, it was windy and cloudy but on Thursday a warmer weather welcomed the team during the session. The team hotel too is a secluded farmhouse setting which is a 50-minute drive from The Lays.

The need for privacy at the locations also means that the team management was instructed to not take photos or videos at the hotel or the practice facility, only being allowed some snapshots near the nets.

Liton Das, who reached England the day before, was enjoying cherry blossoms at a picturesque site while Mustafizur Rahman was also on his way to join the Tigers. Nic Pothas, who has come in as assistant coach, joined the team for the first time on Wednesday, starting his tenure in England.

Following the warm-up match today, the Tigers will enjoy a rest day before practice sessions at Fenners and Chemsford respectively on May 7 and 8, as per the itinerary from Cricket Ireland.

The Tigers will play the first of the three-match ODI series against Ireland on May 9 at Chelmsford. There is uncertainty over whether the series will be broadcast on any television channels in Bangladesh as BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that Cricket Ireland had not yet been able to confirm whether the series would be televised in this region.