Pitch Master Tony Hemming and Tactician Phil Simmons Set the Stage in Sylhet

As Bangladesh prepare to face the Netherlands in the opening T20I at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, two key figures were spotted deep in silent discussion — pitch curator Tony Hemming and head coach Phil Simmons.

Hemming, the Australian curator who has become a familiar face in Bangladesh cricket, walked towards the secondary ground when Simmons called him over. The two exchanged a few quiet words — and while their conversation remained private, the implications were clear: the story of the pitch had begun.

Tomorrow’s match result will depend heavily on bat and ball, but the stage is being set by this duo. Hemming understands what the home team wants, but as an international curator, his role is to maintain balance — ensuring fair conditions for both sides.

On the other hand, Simmons knows the smallest details matter — from grass coverage to dryness, from the dew factor to when batting first could be advantageous. Every particle of dust on the 22 yards becomes part of his tactical equation.

For Simmons, the strategy is straightforward:

• If the pitch plays slow, Bangladesh’s spinners will be key.
• If there’s early assistance for pacers, bowling first and putting the Netherlands under pressure becomes the plan.

By the end of the day, the silent conversation between Hemming and Simmons could dictate how well Bangladesh execute their game plan.

In cricket, the story of the match often begins off the field — and tomorrow, the 22-yard script written by Hemming’s preparation and Simmons’ tactics will determine how the battle unfolds.