“We had hoped that the security concerns would fade, but unfortunately the advice we have received from government, our own security experts and independent security advisors has clearly indicated that there are now high risks to our people”.
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Cricket Australia has announced that it has been forced to postpone the two-Test tour of Bangladesh due to concerns about the safety and security of the Australian team.
“Safety and security was successfully provided to 24 men’s and women’s teams including the Australian men’s and women’s squads as well as to officials and guests who arrived for the event”.
Sutherland was quoted as saying, “This has been a very hard decision”.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has offered a higher level of security for Australia’s players and urged that the tour go ahead.
“Bangladesh is clearly on the rise as a cricketing nation and our new-look Australian team was looking forward to the challenge of playing this series”.
“Six days ago we were informed by ASIO and our Department of Foreign Affairs that there was a credible risk to Australians in Bangladesh and we’ve worked through a rigorous process to try and understand that”.
Cricket.com.au said CA’s security staff briefed the peak body’s board and department of foreign affairs and trade on Wednesday, having returned from meetings in Bangladesh.
Last Friday’s security warning from the Australian government came as somewhat of a surprise given South Africa, India and Pakistan have all toured Bangladesh this year without incident.
After hearing of the potential danger, Cricket Australia chose to opt out of the month-long tour and sent their 15-man Test squad home.
“We are still hopeful that a fresh date for arrival of it’s team will be declared by CA and we will see a few exciting cricket on the ground soon”. From the moment we raised our concerns with the BCB they have been cooperative and most understanding of the situation.
“Together with the Bangladeshi government, they left no stone unturned in trying to allay our concerns and we are most appreciative of that”.
“There’s obviously a new team and that’s a tough environment to play in Chittagong and or Dhaka, so it’s actually something that’s important to the players but in this case we’ll have to wait on the best advice and how it transpires”.
In a statement, BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that VVIP security would be given to the Aussies which is unprecedented for any global team. “It is therefore so disappointing that external influences have affected a tour that many Bangladeshis and Australians were looking forward to”, Sutherland said. “It was by no means a call made lightly”, he said.
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CA officials yesterday continued their talks on the security situation in Bangladesh with the DFAT, the Australian Cricketers’ Association player union and independent security advisors. They were to play a 3-day warm-up game and 2 Tests.
