Strauss: No one will be forced to tour Bangladesh
ENGLAND’S cricketers are yet to commit to the tour of Bangladesh, despite assurances from the England and Wales Cricket Board security adviser Reg Dickason.
Dickason has outlined to the players and coaching staff his confidence in the security put in place by the Bangladeshi government, with the squad due to arrive on September 30.
But wicketkeeper Jos Buttler refused to confirm that he would make the trip, and it is understood his reticence is shared by many players within the dressing room.
They still have questions they want answered before they make up their minds.
More than 20 people were killed during an attack in Dhaka at the start of July — for which ISIS later claimed responsibility — while Foreign Office advice refers to ‘a heightened threat of further terrorist attacks’.
Even so, England’s managing director Andrew Strauss insisted that the only reason the tour would not proceed was if Bangladesh suffered another terrorist incident in the interim.
But, referring to the meeting with the players, he admitted: ‘At no stage did we ask any players whether they were going to make themselves available.
‘We’re not at that stage yet. This was about sharing information. We can’t force anyone to go on any tour, and nor would we want to.
‘Our job is to assure them that the security situation is safe. If they have those assurances, there’s no other reason to pull out of the tour.’
Strauss is hopeful the players can reach a unanimous decision, adding he would schedule more meetings involving himself, the cricketers and Dickason before selection, which takes place after the Twenty20 international against Pakistan on September 7.
But the very existence of those meetings reveals the work the ECB face if they are to arrive in Bangladesh with their strongest possible squad.
And, with Test captain Alastair Cook already a doubt because of the impending birth of his second child, the size of their task was summed up by Buttler’s response.
‘It was a positive meeting but it’s something you have to digest,’ he said. ‘It’s tricky at the moment. We have a game here (against Pakistan) and international cricket needs your full focus.
‘It may be down to the individual. People will react differently but it’s important you know that you’re not pressured by your mates or throwaway comments.
‘Some guys in the meeting, like Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, were part of the team that went back to India (in 2008-09), so they probably know how to deal with it.
‘But it’s new ground for some people and it’s important we try to deal with it the best we can.’
Asked if he would commit to the tour, Buttler replied: ‘I’ve said plenty, thanks.’
Meanwhile, the ECB are now encouraging any England fans planning to follow the tour to make their own arrangements after it emerged that the board would be unable to guarantee their safety.
Strauss said: ‘Our decision to press ahead is based on security plans put in place for the players and the management. That’s all we can control.
‘Any supporters considering going out there should make their own arrangements, and in particular refer to Foreign Office advice.’
That advice includes a warning that ‘crowded areas and places where Westerners are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack’, although security at the matches is expected to be watertight.
This whole affair is a distraction England will have to overcome at Lord’s today if they are to take a 2-0 lead over Pakistan in their fivematch one-day series.
They will also have to overcome a Pakistan team who have been warned by coach Mickey Arthur that anyone who is unable to adapt to the fast-scoring demands of the modern game can expect to lose their place. The tourists’ sluggish advance to 260 for six in Wednesday’s rain-affected series opener at the Ageas Bowl — won by Eoin Morgan’s side at a canter — was reminiscent of the cricket England played before last summer’s white-ball revolution.
With David Willey still unavailable because of a hand injury, England could be unchanged.
Pakistan are expected to make room for leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who claimed 10 wickets at Lord’s during the first Test in July.
More than that, their coach wants them to play a different brand of cricket altogether after losing nine of their last 10 one-day matches against England.
‘I want to see the guys go out and express themselves,’ said Arthur.
‘Playing the way we played the other night, we are behind the times. The invitation is there to every player — step up or we will find somebody else who can step up. It’s as simple as that.’