Australia delay departure to Bangladesh due to 'potential security risk'

Melbourne, Sep 26: Australia have delayed their departure to Bangladesh due to "concern about the safety and security of the team", Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday.

In a media release today, CA announced that the Australian team, which was to depart from Sydney on Monday (September 28), will now wait for further security advice before confirming its travel arrangements for the tour.

Australia are scheduled to play 2 Tests against Bangladesh next month. The tour starts with a 3-day warm-up game against Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) XI from October 3 to 5.

CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said that recent advice from a range of Australian government sources had identified a potential security risk to Australian interests in Bangladesh.

"We have received advice from DFAT and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on a revised security plan for the tour," Sutherland said.

"We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won't be compromised.

"We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team's travel arrangements.

"In the meantime, we are working with the ACA and keeping our players and support staff fully informed," he added.

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