Australia delay departure for Bangladesh for security concerns

The Australian contingent to tour Bangladesh for a full series next month delayed their departure owing to concerns regarding safety. James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia (CA) chief elaborated "we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on a revised security plan for the tour."

'The safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won't be compromised': James Sutherland

Cricket Australia (CA) today announced that due to safety and security concerns it had delayed the world champions' departure for next month's tour of Bangladesh. CA chief executive James Sutherland said that advice from the Australian government had identified a potential security risk to Australian interests in Bangladesh.

The team was due to leave Sydney on Monday but will now wait for further security advice before confirming its travel arrangements for the tour. “We have received advice from DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on a revised security plan for the tour,” Sutherland said.

“We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won't be compromised. We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team's travel arrangements.”

Later BCB chief executive Nizmuddin Chowdhury appeared taken aback by the news from Sydney. “We are surprised, because the situation in Bangladesh is very calm and stable,” he said. “Cricket was never interrupted in Bangladesh for security reasons and we believe it will never happen. We are hopeful the tour will be on schedule, especially for the main matches.”