Moeen Ali commits to Bangladesh tour

Eoin Morgan yet to commit for the tour

AFP, CARDIFF (UK): Moeen Ali has become the first England player to confirm unreservedly that he will be available for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
The future of the tour was in the balance after an attack on a Dhaka cafe in July killed 20 — mostly foreign — hostages, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.
But all-rounder Ali, speaking in Cardiff on Saturday ahead of England's fifth and final one-day international against Pakistan in the Welsh capital on Sunday, said: "If selected, I'll definitely go.
"I'm pretty happy with everything and really looking forward to it," the 29-year-old Worcestershire off-spinner and left-handed batsman added.
"I've been there a few times, five or six."
Following the Dhaka attack, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sent an inspection team to Bangladesh led by long-serving security chief Reg Dickason.
After he reported back, the ECB said last month that the tour, which includes three one-day international and two Test match fixtures in October and November, would go ahead as planned.
"My view is you're not safe anywhere these days," said Ali.
"I think you can be anywhere and still not be safe."
England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who was with the Sri Lanka squad when their bus came under armed attack in Lahore in 2009, has also said he intends to travel to Bangladesh.
But England one-day captain Eoin Morgan, who was among a group of players given a security briefing by Dickason, said Friday he had still to make up his mind.
Morgan expects to confirm whether he will tour Bangladesh soon after next week’s finish of the home series against Pakistan.
Morgan is also due to captain England in a lone Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Manchester’s Old Trafford on Wednesday.
But with the team due to fly to Dhaka for the one-day leg of the tour on September 29, Morgan accepts the time for a decision will probably have to come soon after Wednesday’s match, England’s last international of their home season.
“I would certainly like to think probably within a couple of days after that there will be something definitive,” Morgan told reporters at Headingley.
“I have not made my mind up. I will be taking as much time as I need.”
Asked about his willingness to tour, Morgan said: “Reluctant isn’t the word.
“I think when so much information is thrown at you within two months of a terrorist attack you need to digest everything and be settled within yourself so you can go there and concentrate on cricket.”
The Irishman added: “We are in the middle of a series. We have not had a great deal of time to think about it.”
Morgan insisted he did not expect other players in the side to follow his lead on Bangladesh because of his position as captain.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “It is a completely individual thing.
“The decision any individual makes within the side is the right one, and everybody will stand by whoever wants to go or not. I think that is very important.”
Ali said he had no qualms about anyone taking their time over deciding whether or not to commit to the tour.
"It's really tough (to decide), even for myself.
"Everyone's different, and has their own views on things — and as a team, you back other other's decisions.
"It's up to the individual. There's no pressure on anyone — it's up to that person and how he feels."

 

Moeen Ali commits to Bangladesh tour

Eoin Morgan yet to commit for the tour

AFP, CARDIFF (UK): Moeen Ali has become the first England player to confirm unreservedly that he will be available for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. The future of the tour was in the balance after an attack on a Dhaka cafe in July killed 20 mostly foreign hostages, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. But all-rounder Ali, speaking in Cardiff on Saturday ahead of Englands fifth and final one-day international against Pakistan in the Welsh capital on Sunday, said: If selected, Ill definitely go. Im pretty happy with everything and really looking forward to it, the 29-year-old Worcestershire off-spinner and left-handed batsman added. Ive been there a few times, five or six. Following the Dhaka attack, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sent an inspection team to Bangladesh led by long-serving security chief Reg Dickason. After he reported back, the ECB said last month that the tour, which includes three one-day international and two Test match fixtures in October and November, would go ahead as planned. My view is youre not safe anywhere these days, said Ali. I think you can be anywhere and still not be safe. England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, who was with the Sri Lanka squad when their bus came under armed attack in Lahore in 2009, has also said he intends to travel to Bangladesh. But England one-day captain Eoin Morgan, who was among a group of players given a security briefing by Dickason, said Friday he had still to make up his mind. Morgan expects to confirm whether he will tour Bangladesh soon after next weeks finish of the home series against Pakistan. Morgan is also due to captain England in a lone Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Manchesters Old Trafford on Wednesday. But with the team due to fly to Dhaka for the one-day leg of the tour on September 29, Morgan accepts the time for a decision will probably have to come soon after Wednesdays match, Englands last international of their home season. I would certainly like to think probably within a couple of days after that there will be something definitive, Morgan told reporters at Headingley. I have not made my mind up. I will be taking as much time as I need. Asked about his willingness to tour, Morgan said: Reluctant isnt the word. I think when so much information is thrown at you within two months of a terrorist attack you need to digest everything and be settled within yourself so you can go there and concentrate on cricket. The Irishman added: We are in the middle of a series. We have not had a great deal of time to think about it. Morgan insisted he did not expect other players in the side to follow his lead on Bangladesh because of his position as captain. Absolutely not, he said. It is a completely individual thing. The decision any individual makes within the side is the right one, and everybody will stand by whoever wants to go or not. I think that is very important. Ali said he had no qualms about anyone taking their time over deciding whether or not to commit to the tour. Its really tough (to decide), even for myself. Everyones different, and has their own views on things and as a team, you back other others decisions. Its up to the individual. Theres no pressure on anyone its up to that person and how he feels.