MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Cricket Australia (CA) is sending its own security expert to Bangladesh to determine whether or not it is safe for the Australian team to proceed with its planned tour.
The Australian team has delayed its departure to Bangladesh after being warned by its government that there was a potential security risk from militants.
Australia and Bangladesh cricket officials are both hopeful the tour will still go ahead and are in talks about safety arrangements.
“Our position is that we want the tour to go ahead as planned,” CA Chief Executive James Sutherland told a news conference yesterday.
“This has obviously come very suddenly and we needed to make this response.
“Our preferred position is to continue the tour but the safety and security of our players and staff is the absolute priority.”
Sutherland said CA’s head of security Sean Carroll was on his way to Bangladesh and would report back after meeting with local officials and assessing the risk.
“The response at this stage is very much to get our head of security on the ground,” Sutherland said.
“Meetings will commence on Monday. We’ll have a much better understanding there. It’s just one step at a time at the moment.”
