England in Bangladesh 2016-17
Strauss hopes for mass participation
LONDON: Englands players will be given time to consider their personal position on touring Bangladesh but Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, hopes that there will be an en masse decision to undertake the trip.
Strauss had encouraged the players not to leave anything unsaid during the meeting in London on Thursday, where it was confirmed that the trip would take place as planned. He believes that it is 100% safe to tour, following the advice of the ECBs head of security Reg Dickason, and is eager for a collective spirit among the squad, even though he has opened his door for any player to have one-on-one meetings about any concerns.
The ECB, who will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh ahead of their departure on September 30, were given detailed information on the levels of security that will be provided in Dhaka, Chittagong and Fatullah, while the successful hosting of the Under-19 World Cup - for which England sent a team - also had a significant bearing on the decision.
At no stage did we ask players whether they would make themselves available, Strauss said. We are not at that stage yet. Im certainly hopeful that we can convince the players that it is safe to tour. Im 100% convinced that is the case. I have the utmost confidence in Reg Dickason and his experience.
My view is that the job of the ECB and Reg is to assure the players it is safe to go and, once they have that, Im very hopeful that well have all the squad coming together and saying lets go as a group.
We cant force anyone to go on any tour and nor would we want to. Our job is to assure them it is safe and if thats the case there is no other reason to pull out of the tour. We will answer any questions they have and hopefully put any fears they have to bed.
Strauss, along with Test captain Alastair Cook who also attended the meeting, were part of the England squad that returned to India for two Tests under the captaincy of Kevin Pietersen after the Mumbai attacks in 2008. Of current first-choice Test players, Stuart Broad and James Anderson - the latter who joined the team meeting via conference call - were also on that trip.
Although it may not be something on the minds of players as they try to decide whether to tour, Englands return to India generated a lot of goodwill and they will be warmly received in Bangladesh after the country feared they could see a widespread withdrawal of touring sides following Australias pull-out last year.
