England offer tour opt-out

EOIN MORGAN, England’s one-day captain, insists individuals will be given the option of missing this winter’s tour of Bangladesh.

The tour is under threat following July’s terrorist attack in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital, which left 20 people dead, and the players will have a briefing on the security situation tomorrow.

Reg Dickason, England’s head of security, and John Carr, the England & Wales Cricket Board’s head of operations, visited Bangladesh last week to assess the viability of the tour.

A decision on whether it will go ahead is expected by the end of the week but not before the players, including England’s Test captain Alastair Cook, are briefed on the situation.

England are reluctant to cancel the tour, which will include three one-day internationals and two Tests, after Australia pulled out of visiting Bangladesh last year.

However, while it is understood Dickason was satisfied with security around the team hotel and venues, the squad’s safety while travelling remains a concern.

If the tour, which is due to start in October, does get the go-ahead, players will be given the chance to miss it without harming their future prospects.

“We’ll chat about it,” said Morgan. “People have missed tours in the past so you have to make guys feel safe to go.

“It’s a decision you’d rather get out of the way sooner rather than later. There’s always room for a personal decision.”