Australia pull out of U19 World Cup in Bangladesh over security concerns
Monday 25 January 2016 07:23, UK
Australia have withdrawn from the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh later this month because of concerns over the "safety and security" of the squad.
Ireland have been invited to replace the Australians in the tournament, which starts on 22 January and they are considering the offer. The ECB has confirmed that England still intend to travel as it stands.
Australia postponed a Test tour of Bangladesh in October for similar reasons and Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive James Sutherland said the situation had not improved.
"Regrettably, the advice from our government suggests that the security threat to Australians travelling to Bangladesh remains as high now as it was when we postponed the test team's tour of that country late last year," he said.
"In the end, with all of the information and advice we have received, we feel we had no alternative other than to make this difficult decision."
Bangladesh faces what appears to be a growing threat of militant violence and has seen a string of incidents last year including the shooting of three foreigners, two of whom died.
The Australia football team did go to Bangladesh last November to play in a World Cup qualifier.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said: "The ICC takes its responsibilities around safety and security of ICC events extremely seriously.
"ICC are confident that the proposed security arrangements for (the tournament) will adequately address the identified risks."
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said the withdrawal was "unfortunate".
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"We are ensuring highest security," he said. "We don't see any security issues in Bangladesh. You just can't stop games considering one or two incidents. Terror attacks are happening everywhere in the world. But games are taking place."
Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has been playing in Bangladesh's domestic T20 competition and he said he felt safe.
"I had some concerns before I went out there," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "I saw the advice, which was 'iffy', at best. But when I went out there I felt really safe. The security was top class. The concern now is that the U19 World Cup might be moved somewhere else which would be a real shame.
"There is an insatiable appetite for cricket out there, much the same as India."
