James Anderson does not want players to decide on Bangladesh tour

When it comes to matters regarding security situations affecting the status of an international tour, England fast bowler James Anderson has advocated against leaving the final call to players.

During an event conducted by England’s sponsor Brut Sport Style, the 34-year old deliberated on the circumstances surrounding the upcoming trip to Bangladesh and expressed trust in the decision of ECB authorities.

Anderson revealed, “Obviously as players, when you’re going on tour somewhere where there have been incidents in the last few months, you try to keep tabs on it and there are discussions going on among players.”

Although they are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Bangladesh, England’s tour rests in the hands of an ECB security delegation after security concerns arose due to a terrorist attack in Dhaka during July which had claimed more than 20 lives.

The delegation led by Security Adviser Reg Dickason which also includes Director of Cricket Operations John Carr and David Leatherdale of the Professional Cricketers’ Association is currently in the country to take stock of the situation there.

Elaborating on his views, Anderson believed, “Reg is brilliant at his job and he’s looked after us for the best part of 10 years and David is there with the PCA. We’ll get their feedback when they arrive back. If there are any doubts they will make the call and we trust their ability. These decisions aren’t or really shouldn’t be in the hands of players.”

Even though England had returned to India to participate in the 2008 Test series after the gruesome attack on Mumbai, he refused to compare the two situations citing the difference in the timeline.

One of the members of that touring party, Anderson reminisced, “The situation is different this time because of the time before the tour goes ahead. In India, we were all together as a group. I’m sure those of us (who have the experience of such trips) will try to help if necessary. But if someone is particularly uncomfortable, I’m sure they can raise it with the coach, the captain or a senior official within the ECB.”

Pertinently, Australia had called off their trip to Bangladesh last year following security threats and also did not field a team in the U-19 World Cup which was held there during January/February.

England’s players will be hoping that the Bangladesh tour gets cleared in order to acclimatize to subcontinental conditions before they depart to India for a challenging 5-Test series.