Australia withdraw from U-19 World Cup

Security threat still remains high, Sutherland says

Australia has withdrawn from the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh because of security concerns.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland yesterday said his organisation saw no alternative but to withdraw from the January 27-February 14 tournament because the security situation was little changed since Australia’s Test match tour to Bangladesh was called off in October.

“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,” Sutherland said. “Included in that is reliable information suggesting there is a high threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh.

“With all of the information and advice we have received, we feel we had no alternative other than to make this difficult decision.”

Australia played in a football World Cup qualifying match in Bangladesh in November, beating the hosts 4-0 amid what was described as “unprecedented security.” International Cricket Council chief executive Dave Richardson said he was confident with the proposed security arrangements and the event would go ahead, with a team from Ireland invited to replace the Australian team.

Continue as scheduled

“Whilst the ICC notes and respects the position of Cricket Australia ... we are obviously disappointed with the decision,” Richardson said.

“The ICC takes its responsibilities around the safety and security of ICC events extremely seriously. And taking into consideration the full and unequivocal support of the Bangladesh government that has been afforded to us at the highest level and through all local security agencies, the advice we have received from our own and independent security experts, and the robust security plan that has been developed, the ICC remains of the view the it is appropriate for event planning to continue as scheduled.”

Sutherland apologised for the inconvenience to the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board. The Australia under-19 squad will still travel to Dubai later this month to play in a tri-series involving Pakistan and New Zealand.