CA delegation visits Bangladesh amid Aussies boycott threat
Sports Reporter
Despite the uncertainty hovering over Australias tour in Bangladesh, Cricket Australia delegates expressed satisfaction with the security in place during their pre-tour visit yesterday.
Though situation in Australia got worsened after the Australias senior players have voted to boycott next months tour of Bangladesh unless their long-running pay dispute with CA settled before they leave, Bangladesh remain optimistic about hosting two-match Test series.
The Australian delegates seriousness in visiting the country for security and other logistic facilities indeed kept Bangladesh hopeful despite all odds.
The representatives headed by the CA anti-corruption and security manager Sean Carroll did not waste any time and went into business right away despite the heavy drizzle that literally halted the life of city dwellers.
After arriving in Dhaka on Monday night, Carroll along with his team visited the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah where the Australia is scheduled to play a two-day practice match on August 23-24.
The visitors then went to the police headquarters in the morning where they were briefed at length about the security arrangements taken by the government.
They are happy and satisfied with our security plan, National Police chief Shahidul Hoque told reporters after the meeting. We are hopeful that the tour will proceed as per scheduled, he said. We have tried to fulfill all their requirements as far as security is concerned and are ready to welcome them by providing top-level security.
The Australian delegates then came Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium following the meeting with the Police chief in the afternoon. In their two-hour long visit in the Home of Cricket they saw the condition of the main ground, academy ground and indoor facilities.
They are also seen to talk with the HP and Undser-19 coach Simon Helmot and Damien Wright, both of whom are Australian.
They are scheduled to visit to Chittagong today before returning to Australia the following day. They may also visit BKSP before heading to Chittagong but it is not sure yet.
Earlier in October 2015, Australia postponed their proposed tour of two-match Test series due to security reasons following the information gleaned from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australia revived the postponed tour after watching Bangladesh security closely in the recent past and upon receiving positive response from Carroll, who visited Bangladesh on May 16 along with other members, and were satisfied with all the arrangements regarding security and ground issues.
The tour looked to have overcome all the speed bumps before the pay dispute crisis blew up. The talks between CA and Australian Cricketers Association fell apart as the CA intended to end the revenue-sharing system in place, even as the ACA remained determined to keep it.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board officials heaved a sigh of relief as five-member team comprising representatives from both CA and the players arrived to see the security and logistic arrangement ahead of the scheduled tour.
Definitely their arrival can be considered as a positive sign ahead of the tour. We are optimistic about the series, said BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury.
