Monday 12 September 2016 12:50, UK
Former England captain Nasser Hussain says he is disappointed to see Eoin Morgan pull out of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
England's one-day international captain has made himself unavailable for selection for the tour amid security concerns following July's terror attacks in Dhaka.
Alex Hales also ruled himself out, despite the fact that the England and Wales Cricket Board's security expert, Reg Dickason, gave the tour the green light after conducting a number of assessments in the sub-continent.
Despite his disappointment, Hussain says he can understand the pair's decision to pull out of the tour, which is set to include three one-day internationals and two Test matches.
"It's disappointing for England with the way they've played one-day cricket," Hussain said. "The opening batsman Alex Hales has been instrumental and a driving force in the turnaround in English one-day cricket over the last 18 months.
"It is an individual decision, whatever the ECB say about security - Reg Dickason is a very good man but whatever he's said - no one can guarantee your security anywhere in the world at the moment."
However, Hussain, who captained England between 1999 and 2003, believes Morgan should have lead by example and committed to the tour.
"Personally I think the captain should be there," he said. "I think a captain in charge of a team should be there with his team but I fully understand the decision that they've made."
Both Hales and Morgan now face an uncertain future in international cricket. Jos Buttler is set to take over the one-day captaincy for the three-match series and Hussain says the pair could find themselves on the fringes of English cricket after this winter's tour.
"They leave themselves open - if someone, Jos Buttler for example as captain, does well and whoever comes in in that middle order, whether it be Ben Duckett or Sam Billings, does well then Eoin Morgan will have to fight for his place back," Hussain said.
"However well he's done as captain, however well he's driven this side forward, you do leave the door open. It's a decision he wouldn't have taken lightly. He's his own man, he makes his own decisions - he won't do what everyone thinks he should do. It's a difficult decision for him."
Hussain was captain of England in the immediate aftermath of terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Later that year, two England players, Robert Croft and Andy Caddick, refused to tour India citing similar safety concerns.
"It was very difficult after 9/11 - there was a lot of worry," Hussain said. "There was no pressure on the players; we had to make our own mind up, as is the case now. Two players rung me up and said they couldn't make the trip and I fully understood that and didn't hold it against them.
"Robert Croft didn't end up playing for England again, simple because - as I said with the case of Morgan - Ashley Giles came in, did very well in India, and took over as the main spinner."
Hussain also warned England's players to expect difficult conditions in Bangladesh.
"When you get to Bangladesh there will be a siege mentality," he said. "Everything will have to be cleared with security, you will see tourists in your hotel come and go of their own free will and yet you, as an England cricketer, won't be able to do that."
