Although admitting that the players will not be forced to travel, Director of England Cricket, Andrew Strauss remained optimistic of sending their first-choice team for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. Following an assessment of the prevailing situation in the country, ECB had recently given the green signal for the trip and briefed skippers Alastair Cook and Eoin Morgan of the development.
Citing the advice of ECB’s Head of Security, Reg Dickason, Strauss was convinced of their safety in Bangladesh and expressed readiness to address any team member’s issue with face-to-face meetings.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former captain asserted, “Last night, we met with the players and tried as much as possible to explain to them the security situation and why we feel it is safe to go. Right now, there is an opportunity for them to take time to digest it and speak to anyone they need to speak to to ask any further questions, and then we will have one-on-one conversations with them over the coming days and weeks.”
He added, “I am very confident in the security situation and very confident of the security plan. I'm 100% convinced that is the case and have the utmost confidence in Reg Dickason and his experience. So I am very hopeful, we will take a full squad out to Bangladesh.”
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A three-member delegation had been sent to Bangladesh to take stock of the security arrangements after which the tour was permitted to go ahead as planned. However, Strauss was ready to respect the players’ decisions.
The 39-year old felt, “We can't force anyone to go on any tour and nor would we want to. Our job is to assure them it is safe and if that's the case there is no other reason to pull out of the tour. We will answer any questions they have and hopefully, put any fears they have to bed.”
One of the talking points had been England coming back to India in order to complete the Test series in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. At least three members of those squad will be on the flight to Bangladesh.
Also a part of that trip, Strauss believed, “There were a number of references to 2008 and what we went through. I don't think it's particularly relevant to say, it will happen the same way. But, those players who went through it before have a pretty good idea of how things will work. I can't say for sure that will be the case in Bangladesh, but my experience is that it will be.”
England’s tour of Bangladesh which comprises of 3 ODIs and 2 Tests is scheduled from October 3 to November 1.
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