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Australian Test cricketers directed to join their state teams, as Bangladesh tour highly unlikely

World Cup winning Australian stars could soon light up the 2015-16 Matador BBQs Cup

 

In what seems to be a significant development, Cricket Australia have instructed the national test team members to turn out for their respective state teams. This has effectively neutralized the already minimal expectations of the tour to Bangladesh taking place as scheduled. This move bolsters the upcoming 50-over Matador BBQs Cup in which the Australian internationals will make a comeback to domestic cricket, after quite some time.

Earlier, Australia had engulfed the tour to Bangladesh in jeopardy citing security concerns. Sean Caroll, Head of Security, CA, held deliberations with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and government officials in Dhaka. But, nothing concrete emerged from the series of meetings which meant that the officials were not satisfied with the security arrangements.

The 15-member Australian squad had been due to fly out of the country on Monday. But, with the CA administrators putting the tour on standby on the basis of advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which stated that “westerners” could be the potential target of terrorist attacks in Bangladesh. They were backed by the UK government who also issued a similar report warning the foreign nationals in the cricket-crazy nation.

The domino effect from this situation could also affect the aspiring domestic players in Australia who would have hoped to stake a claim in the national team by inspiring the selectors. Instead, with their places being usurped by the returning established names, a few of those cricketers might be drafted in a seperate team representing CA.

The New South Wales Blues will now be strengthened by as many as five test cricketers ranging from skipper Steven Smith to young quick Mitchell Starc. Western Australia will see the likes of Adam Voges and the Marsh brothers represent their team. The presence of key members of the 2015 Australian World Cup winning squad such as Tasmanians Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner could evince a heightened interest among the spectators for the tournament.

Meanwhile, discussions are expected to continue between officials of CA and DFAT in Melbourne. The security entourage which had arrived from Dhaka on Tuesday will brief board members. Representatives from the Australian Cricketers’ Association is also expected to participate in the meeting.

On the other hand, BCB president Nazmul Hasan maintained his bullish stand regarding the tour prospects. Speaking to the local media, he said, “We have assured them the highest level of security and I don't think any other country has ever offered a team such a level of security. If they don't come despite all of that it will be disappointing. It will be hard to accept as well, since three teams toured here a few months ago. Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came here for a visit recently."

Even though Hasan also conceded that the gruesome murder of an Italian citizen in Dhaka had complicated matters, he harboured slim hopes on the Australians eventually visiting his country.

The Matador BBQs Cup is scheduled to begin on October 5 with Queensland taking on Tasmania at Sydney.

 

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