Cricket Australia (CA) has announced it has been forced to postpone the two-Test Tour of Bangladesh, due to concerns about the safety and security of the Australian team.
Chief executive James Sutherland said on Thursday night that recent advice from ASIO, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and CA's head of security about an increasing security risk for the Australian team in Bangladesh meant this month's matches could not proceed.
An independent security assessment confirmed a risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting Australian nationals.
"This has been a very difficult decision. Following the most recent information from Australian government agencies and our own security advisors, we have decided that, regrettably, we have no alternative but to postpone the tour," Sutherland said.
"Over the last few days, we have sought to obtain as much information as possible about the risks for Australians travelling to Bangladesh.
"We had hoped that the security concerns would fade but, unfortunately, the advice we have received from government, our own security experts and independent security advisers has clearly indicated that there are now high risks to our people should they make the trip.
"We have worked tirelessly to try to find a way for the tour to proceed but, in the end, it was simply not possible.
"Given the situation, we have now advised the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) and the International Cricket Council of our decision.
"We understand that this decision will be very disappointing for the cricket community in Bangladesh.
"However, from an Australian perspective, the safety of our players and officials is our highest priority. We will work with the BCB to reschedule the tour as soon as possible.
"Bangladesh is clearly on the rise as a cricketing nation and our new-look Australian team was looking forward to the challenge of playing this series.
"From the moment we raised our concerns with the BCB, they have been cooperative and most understanding of the situation. Together with the Bangladeshi Government, they left no stone unturned in trying to allay our concerns and we are most appreciative of that," Sutherland said.
CA was approached by ASIO and DFAT last Friday (September 25) with urgent advice that it had identified a potential security risk to Australian interests in Bangladesh. This resulted in Cricket Australia delaying the team's scheduled Monday departure for the tour.
In that time, CA head of security Sean Carroll flew to Dhaka for meetings with the Bangladesh government, BCB, the Australian High Commission and DFAT.
Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief executive Alistair Nicholson said the decision to postpone the tour was the correct one in difficult circumstances, particularly from a player safety and welfare point of view.
"The process for arriving at this decision was rigorous and we were in constant contact with CA, their security team and the Australian players.
"From the players point of view, they fully support the decision that's been made, however, they were looking forward to facing off against a challenging Bangladesh side playing on their home turf.
"The circumstances that led to the decision to cancel the tour are bigger than the game of cricket, and it's important to view the issue in this context," Nicholson said.
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