Published: Oct 01, 2015, 06:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 02, 2015, 04:44 PM (IST)
The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) has backed Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone the tour of Bangladesh on account of potential security threats to the Australian team if they carry on with the tour. Australia was scheduled to play two Tests in Bangladesh but after a warning by the Australian government of the team being a possible target of militancy in Bangladesh, there were an elaborate round of security checks and discussions before the decision was made to postpone the tour. Bangladesh even offered Australia president-level security but Australia were not convinced. ALSO READ: Australia postpone Bangladesh tour 2015 amid security threat
“The decision by Cricket Australia (CA) to postpone the tour is the correct one in these difficult circumstances, particularly from a player safety and welfare point of view,” said ACA Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson according to auscricket.com.au
“The process for arriving at this decision was rigorous and we were in constant contact with CA, their security team, and the Australian players. It was by no means a call made lightly; it was made on the recommendations of experts from a variety of organisations, including DFAT, CA’s security team, and independent security assessors. Ultimately it was determined that the risk to the safety of players and support staff was too great for the tour to go ahead,” Nicholson added.
He expressed the players’ views on the subject. “From the players’ point of view, they fully support the decision that’s been made, however, they were looking forward to facing off against a challenging Bangladesh side playing on their home turf,” he said.
“The circumstances that led to the decision to postpone the tour are bigger than the game of cricket, and it’s important to view the issue in this context. Where there are elements that are beyond our control – as there are in this case – the importance of player safety is brought sharply into focus, and this is absolutely paramount. We will continue to work with CA in terms of the decisions that follow, and keep supporting the players as the 2015-16 season gets underway,” he said.
